DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 13, 2021) – The Mercy College women's soccer team hosts Wilmington in their home opener on Wednesday, September 15th at 12 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 15th 12 p.m.
Records: Mercy (1-0-2), Wilmington (1-1-1)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Wilmington
Mercy earned a 1-0 win over the Wildcats on September 15, 2019.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy is playing their first home game in 661 days after not playing during the 2020-21 academic year due to COVID-19. The Mavericks have earned ties in each of their last two games against AIC and Adelphi. Senior Sydney Cooper scored the game-tying goal against Adelphi in the second half on Thursday. Graduate student Nikki Bermudez scored the game-winning goal in Mercy's win over Southern Connecticut to begin the season on September 3rd. Senior Melissa Torres is 1-0-2 in goal with 12 saves, two shutouts and a .923 save percentage. Bermudez and Torres were both named to the ECC Honor Roll last week. The Mavericks went 13-3-4 in 2019 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight year. Mercy has made five NCAA Tournament appearances since 2013 and has made the ECC Tournament in seven straight seasons. The Mavericks were picked first in the ECC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Third-year Head Coach Danny Leon Jr. has 10 returners from the 2019 team and has 13 student-athletes who will see their first game action as Mavericks during the 2021 season. Leading the returners is Cooper who was named Third Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC in 2019 after recording four goals and two assists. Torres returns in goal after receiving Second Team All-Region and ECC Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2019. Senior Fernanda Castro also returns after taking home First Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC accolades in 2019. Also returning from the 2019 team are seniors Veronica Scruggs, Jessica Hoyt, Claudia McKail and Juliana Conforti and juniors Carli LoNigro, Tyra Anderson and Alexa Billingham. Seeing their first game action as Mavericks after practicing with the team last year are sophomores Madison Rosa, Kayla Camacho, Marlene Avalos, Skyler Schwenkler, Jennifer Silva, Toni Valadez, Alisa Jensen and Genesis Vargas. Making up the freshmen class are Kayla Saavedra, Stacy Avendano and Elizabeth Bowles. Leon Jr. also adds two transfers in Bermudez and junior Dominique Bono from New York Tech. Bermudez was named Second Team All-ECC and First Team All-ECAC in 2019 at New York Tech.
Scouting the Wildcats
Wilmington is coming off a 1-0 loss to Molloy on Saturday. The Wildcats opened their season with a 2-0 win over Daemen and a 1-1 tie against Bentley. Wilmington has received goals from Anastasia Diakos, Lauren Hoelke and Kasie Lambert on the year. Rockesha Dayes and Krysta Memis have added assists and Emily Camp is 1-1-1 in goal with 19 saves and a .905 save percentage in three starts. Wilmington was picked sixth in the CACC Coaches' Poll after going 7-10-1 in 2019.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Saturday, September 18th when they host Staten Island at 12 p.m.
