ST. CHARLES, Mo. (Sept. 22, 2017) – Despite goals from senior Samantha Perez (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) and junior Angela Robbins (Linwood, N.J./Mainland Regional), the Mercy College field hockey team suffered a hard-fought 3-2 defeat to defending ECAC Division II Field Hockey League champions Lindenwood University on Friday night at Hunter Stadium.
The Mavericks (2-6, 0-5 ECAC) drop their second straight game, while the Lions (4-0, 3-0 ECAC) remain undefeated on the year.
Perez scored her second goal of the year, while Robbins recorded her team-leading fourth goal of the season. Freshman Brooke Anthony (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) added an assist and junior goalkeeper Cheradyn Pettit (Colorado Springs, Colo./Lewis Palmer) made six saves to take the loss.
Lindenwood received goals from Megan Martin, Renee Duffy and Bridget Hoogendijk. Goalkeeper Skylar Starbeck made one save to earn the win.
Mercy faced a tall order taking on a Lindenwood team that was undefeated and won 16 games a year ago. The Lions came out on the offensive and forced Pettit to make three saves in the first 11 minutes of action. Lindenwood finally broke through with the game's first goal in the 20th minute when Martin put away a cross from Jessie Londono in front of the goal to put the Lions up 1-0.
The Mavericks responded later in the half with freshman Bianca Cano (West Milford, N.J./West Milford Township) forcing Starbeck to make a save and junior Alicia Williams (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) hitting the post. However, Mercy could not get on the board and the score remained 1-0 in favor of the hosts at halftime.
Pettit made two more saves to begin the second half to keep it a one-goal game. The Mavericks persistence finally paid off in the 58th minute when Perez deflected in a shot taken by Anthony from ten yards out, making it 1-1.
Robbins gave Mercy the lead just 17 seconds later when she caused a turnover at the 40-yard line and beat the goalie in a 1v1 situation.
The Mavericks led 2-1 until the 64th minute when Duffy scored off an assist from Greta Banholzer to tie the game up at 2-2. Overtime looked like a distinct possibility but the Lions would win the game in the 67th minute when Hoogendijk put in a rebound opportunity following a shot by Graycen Dave that gave the Lions a 3-2 edge. Time would run out on the Mavericks and Lindenwood escaped with the victory.
Lindenwood held a 23-5 edge in shots and an 11-3 advantage in penalty corners.
Head Coach Deirdre O'Neill and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they play Bellarmine University at Lindenwood at 4 p.m. Eastern.
