EASTON, Mass. (Sept. 18, 2021) – Despite the first collegiate goal from sophomore Rachel Palladino (Latham, N.Y./Shaker), the Mercy College field hockey team dropped a 7-1 decision to NE10 foe No. 8 Stonehill College on Saturday afternoon.

The Mavericks (1-3, 0-2 NE10) have dropped three straight games, while the Skyhawks (4-1, 3-0 NE10) remain unbeaten in NE10 play.

Palladino netted her first collegiate goal on two shots and junior Alyssa Sacco (Patchogue, N.Y./Patchogue-Medford) recorded her first assist of the season. Sophomore Flynn Kirk (New City, N.Y./Albertus Magnus) had a defensive save and sophomore Ally Schreck (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) had a team-high three shots on goal. Senior Lauren Viscione (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) made seven saves to take the loss.

Stonehill was led by Emma Mawn and Raegan Hickey who both had a goal and an assist. Abigail Campbell made four saves in 45 minutes of action to earn the win. Shannon Conte played the fourth quarter and made six saves.

Mercy held the No. 8 team in the country scoreless for nearly the entire first quarter. The Skyhawks netted their first goal at the end of the first quarter following a penalty corner. Mercy held its own in the opening quarter allowing just five shots and two corners.

Stonehill scored goals in the 18th and 19th minutes of action to take a 3-0 lead at halftime. Viscione made three saves in the quarter to keep Mercy in the game.

The Skyhawks added on two more goals in the third quarter to make it 5-0.

The hosts scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter to make it 7-0. Mercy found the back of the net in the last minute of play when Sacco fed the ball from the center and Palladino knocked the ball in the right post to make it 7-1.

Mercy had just as many shots as the No. 8 team in the country with shots tied at 18-18. Stonehill held the edge in penalty corners, 8-5.

Head Coach Marissa Spinazzola and the Mavericks resume action on Monday, September 20th when they host Millersville at 4 p.m.