GWYNEDD VALLEY, Pa. – On a rain-soaked afternoon at GM Athletic Complex, the FDU-Florham field hockey team was held scoreless in a 3-0 loss to Gwynedd Mercy University.

After a 3-0 start, the Devils (3-2) have now dropped their last two contests, while the Griffins (1-2) picked up their first victory of the 2015 campaign.

Gwynedd Mercy registered the first strike with 4:42 to play in the opening half when Sarah Yerk found sophomore Abigail Gabriel. Gabriel's goal proved to be all the offense the Griffins would need as they limited the Devils' offense all afternoon long.

Early in the second half, FDU-Florham senior goalkeeper Amy Defnet temporarily prevented the Griffins from stretching their lead by stabbing Katie O'Neill's penalty stroke.

Later in the half, the Devils had their best chance to pull even but their strong surge toward the net was thwarted by Gwynedd Mercy netminder Samantha Soscia and the game remained 1-0.

The Griffins solidified their lead when Melissa Russo and O'Neill each registered tallies over the game's final 10 minutes.

FDU-Florham was unable to generate its usual efficient offense and was outshot 13-4 in the contest, despite being only narrowly edged 13-11 in penalty corners.

Defnet made six saves in the loss, while Soscia earned the shutout by making three stops for the Griffins. Junior back Erin O'Connell was responsible for two of the Devils' three shots on cage.

FDU-Florham opens up a three-game homestand in their next contest when they host Stevens Institute of Technology this Thursday, September 17 at 6 p.m.