DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Oct. 25, 2017) – Despite a goal from senior Heidi Serna (West Covina, Calif./South Hills), the No. 23 Mercy College women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision to Southern New Hampshire University on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (13-3) have dropped two of their last three games, while the Penmen (12-2-3) are unbeaten in their last five games.
Serna recorded her sixth goal of the season on two shots on goal, while sophomore Jessica Brandt (Folsom, Calif./Folsom) added an assist. Freshman goalkeeper Melissa Torres (La Mirada, Calif./La Mirada) made eight saves in taking the loss.
Southern New Hampshire received goals from Miranda Peloquin and Trisha Luis and goalkeeper Paige Salmon made four saves to earn the win.
Mercy and Southern New Hampshire entered the contest ranked No. 2 and No. 4 in the East Region rankings, respectively, and the Penmen came out with three shots on goal in the first five minutes of action. However, Torres was up to the task and made three saves to keep the game scoreless.
After a Mercy foul outside the box in the 25th minute, Torres made two saves on consecutive shots before Peloquin put in a rebound off a Courtney Benson shot to put Southern New Hampshire on top 1-0.
It remained 1-0 heading into halftime with the Penmen holding a 7-6 edge in shots.
The second half saw the Mavericks dominate the action throughout the half and they finally got on the board in the 61st minute. Serna received a nicely played ball from Brandt and fired into the lower right corner to even the game up at 1-1.
The score remained 1-1 heading late into the contest and overtime looked like a possibility but the Penmen would breakthrough in the 85th minute. Luis received a pass from Abigail Maker and found her way around the goalkeeper and shot into an empty net to put Southern New Hampshire up 2-1. The Penmen held on the rest of the way in securing the win.
Mercy held a 14-11 edge in shots, while Southern New Hampshire held a 5-2 edge in corner kicks.
Head Coach Jonathan Feinstein and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, October 28th when they host St. Thomas Aquinas College at 12 p.m.
