BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Apr. 14, 2018) – Despite a team-high seven goals and a game-high 13 draw controls from junior Hunter Isnardi (Hicksville, N.Y./Hicksville), the No. 7/9 Mercy College women's lacrosse team dropped a 25-18 decision to ECC foe No. 7/8 LIU Post on Saturday afternoon.
The Mavericks (10-2, 4-1 ECC) have their five-game winning streak snapped and drop their first ECC game of the season, while the Pioneers (10-3, 6-0 ECC) remain unbeaten in ECC play.
Isnardi is now one goal shy of tying the single-season record for goals in a season which she set last season. Mercy was also led by sophomore Katherine Sanchez (Freeport, N.Y./Freeport) who had four goals and an assist, recording her 100th career point in the process. Senior Grace Davidson (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) added three goals and an assist and sophomore Brittani Sergio (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) netted three goals. Sophomore Mary Mackie (Bellport, N.Y./Bellport) scored once and senior Emily Jehle (Wading River, N.Y.) dished out three assists. Freshman Emma Jacobsen (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) made six saves in 35:36 minutes of action and senior Shianne Judson (Bayshore, N.Y./Bayshore) played 24:24 in goal with two saves to take the loss.
LIU Post was led by Alyssa Mallery who had a game-high 12 points on eight goals and four assists. Olivia Kirk made 13 saves to earn the win in goal.
In a matchup between two top ten teams, the Pioneers opened the scoring just 32 seconds in when Mallery scored her first of the day. Davidson quickly responded with her first of the day off a pass from Jehle that tied the score at 1-1 just over a minute into the game. The teams traded goals with Isnardi and Sanchez scoring to make it 3-3 with 24 minutes remaining in the half.
The Pioneers responded with three straight goals to build a 6-3 advantage with 16:48 on the clock. The Mavericks continued to battle and came back with five of the next six goals to take their first lead of the game at 8-7 with 9:56 left in the half. Isnardi scored three times and Davidson and Sergio added a goal apiece to put Mercy ahead.
After a goal from the Pioneers, Mackie scored to keep Mercy ahead 9-8. LIU Post retook the lead with two straight goals, but Sanchez and Isnardi scored two of the half's final three goals to send the teams into halftime tied at 11-11.
The Mavericks came out of the intermission strong, scoring the half's first three goals to take a 14-11 lead with 28 minutes remaining. Isnardi tacked on two more goals and Davidson put another on the board to get the half started. Mallery made it 14-12 just under two minutes later before Sanchez and Sergio increased the Mercy lead to a game-high five goals, 17-12, with 23:59 left to play.
LIU Post would answer back with nine straight goals to take the lead for good at 21-17 with 12:40 remaining. Sanchez ended the run with her final goal of the day to make it 21-18, but the Pioneers would close the game out with four unanswered goals to secure the win.
LIU Post held a 37-36 edge in shots and a 13-10 advantage in ground balls, while Mercy held a 26-19 edge in draw controls.
Head Coach Dawn Sachs and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, April 18th when they host District of Columbia at 4 p.m.
