DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 11, 2019) – Despite the first collegiate goal from freshman Alyssa Sacco (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford), the Mercy College field hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to University of New Haven in their NE10 opener on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (0-2, 0-1 NE10) have dropped two games in a row, while the Chargers (1-2, 1-0 NE10) pick up their first win of the season.
Sacco scored her first goal and seniors Sabrina Anderson (East Rochester, N.Y./East Rochester JR/SR) and Samantha Lorenc (Pompton Lakes, N.J./Pompton Lakes) had a team-high two shots on goal. Junior Kellie Znaniecki (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) and freshman Kayleigh Mimnaugh (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue) had defensive saves and sophomore Lauren Viscione (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) made 13 saves to take the loss.
New Haven received goals from Zharria John and Julia Battino and Taylor Geaglone had two assists. Natalie Shaker made five saves to earn the win.
The Chargers got on the board in just the second minute of action when John deflected in a Geaglone shot following a New Haven corner to make it 1-0.
It remained 1-0 for the remainder of the first quarter with Viscione making two saves and Mimnaugh adding a defensive save in the period.
The visitors scored quickly in the second quarter when Battino deflected in another Geaglone shot following a penalty corner to make it 2-0. It stayed 2-0 heading into halftime with Viscione making six saves and Znaniecki adding her defensive save to keep the Mavericks within striking distance.
Viscione made three more saves in the third quarter and Shaker made three stops of her own to keep the game at 2-0.
The score remained 2-0 heading into the early part of the fourth quarter. Junior Brooke Anthony (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) took a penalty corner in the 50th minute and Sacco found her way through the Charger defense, firing the ball into the right side to make it 2-1.
Mercy were able to draw five penalty corners in the fourth quarter but were unable to find the equalizer in their NE10 opener.
New Haven held a 21-9 edge in shots and a 15-12 edge in penalty corners.
Head Coach Morgan O'Donohue and the Mavericks resume action on Friday, September 13th when they play at Southern N.H. at 4 p.m.
