DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 25, 2022) – The RV Mercy College women's soccer team plays RV Southern New Hampshire University on Friday, August 26th at 2 p.m. at Southern Connecticut State University in their season opener. Mercy will then play Franklin Pierce University on Sunday, August 28th at 11 a.m. at Southern Connecticut State University.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Friday, August 26th 2 p.m.
Records (2021): RV Mercy (12-5-4), RV Southern N.H. (13-4-1)
Location: New Haven, Conn. (SCSU)
Date/Time: Sunday, August 28th 11 a.m.
Records (2021): RV Mercy (12-5-4), Franklin Pierce (9-4-4)
Location: New Haven, Conn. (SCSU)
Last Meeting vs. Southern N.H.
Mercy earned a 1-0 win over Southern N.H. in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament at Molloy University on November 18, 2021.
Last Meeting vs. Franklin Pierce
Franklin Pierce earned a 3-1 win over Mercy on September 2, 2011.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy is coming off a season in which they went 12-5-4 and advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in program history. The Mavericks look to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season and make the ECC Championship for the ninth straight season. Mercy earned a share of the ECC Regular Season Championship and made the ECC Championship Final for the first time since 2017. The Mavericks ended the season receiving votes nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and begin the 2022 season receiving votes. Leading the returners for 2021 ECC Coach of the Year Danny Leon Jr. is Sydney Cooper who was named ECC Defensive Player of the Year, D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches All-Region and First Team All-ECC after playing a team-high 1,902 minutes in 2021. Mercy also returns their top scorer from last year in Claudia McKail who had a team-high six goals and 14 points. First Team All-ECC and All-Region selection Nikki Bermudez also returns after recording 13 points on five goals and three assists. Kayla Camacho also returns after posting four goals and two assists and Dominique Bono comes back after scoring four goals. Madison Rosa returns after leading the team in assists in 2021 with six and Marlene Avalos returns after having seven points on two goals and three assists. Tyra Anderson, Jessica Hoyt and First Team All-ECC selection Skyler Schwenkler also return for the Mavericks. Mercy is 3-3-2 in their last eight meetings against Southern N.H. dating back to 2016. However, the Mavericks have eliminated the Penmen in the NCAA Tournament three times (2021, 2019 & 2017).
Scouting the Penmen
The Penmen went 13-4-1 last season and lost to Mercy in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. Southern N.H. looks to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season. Last season, the Penmen opened the season with nine straight wins and soared as high as No. 6 nationally. The Penmen are receiving votes nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Poll to begin the season. Southern N.H. has been picked to finish second in the NE10 Preseason Poll and will be led by Alyssa Anderson who had a team-high 18 points on a team-high seven goals with four assists. Jordan Butters also returns after finishing second on the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists. Allison Beaumont had four goals and two assists last season. Hannah Rose returns in goal after going 6-3 with 17 saves, a 0.54 goals-against average and .773 save percentage.
Scouting the Ravens
The Ravens went 9-4-4 in 2021 and fell to Assumption in penalty kicks in the NE10 Championship Quarterfinals. Franklin Pierce went 6-4-3 in NE10 last season and are picked third in the NE10 Preseason Poll. The Ravens top three scorers from a year ago return, led by Jasmine Perez-Acosta who had a team-high 16 points on five goals and six assists in just 13 games. Eleonora Franco had a team-high seven goals in 12 games and Hailey Goodman had 12 points on four goals and four assists. Anna Crapanzano also returns after recording four goals and one assist. Gabby Calidonio returns in goal after going 7-3-4 with 67 saves, a 0.71 goals-against average and .870 save percentage in 14 starts.
Next Game
Mercy will host Southern Connecticut State in their home opener on Wednesday, August 31st at 3 p.m.
