DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 31, 2023) – The RV Mercy University women's soccer team opens its 2023 season at #12 Franklin Pierce University on Friday, September 1st at 3 p.m. before facing Southern New Hampshire University at Franklin Pierce on Sunday, September 3rd at 6 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Friday, September 1st 3 p.m.
Records (2022): RV Mercy (14-3-2), #12 Franklin Pierce (16-4-3)
Location: Rindge, N.H.
Date/Time: Sunday, September 3rd 6 p.m.
Records (2022): RV Mercy (14-3-2), Southern N.H. (6-6-5)
Location: Rindge, N.H.
Last Meeting vs. Franklin Pierce
Mercy dropped a 1-0 decision to Franklin Pierce on August 28, 2022 in New Haven.
Last Meeting vs. Southern N.H.
Mercy earned a 1-0 win over Southern N.H. on November 18, 2021 in Rockville Centre.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy is coming off a season in which they went 14-3-2 and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. The Mavericks won their third ECC Tournament Championship and their first outright Regular Season Championship. Mercy looks to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season and make the ECC Championship for the 10th straight season. The Mavericks ended the 2022 season receiving votes nationally in the United Soccer Coaches poll and begin the 2023 season receiving votes. Mercy was picked first in the ECC Preseason Poll and return three of their top five goal scorers from last season. They also return eight student-athletes who started at least 10 matches for the 2022 squad. Senior Kayla Camacho was named the ECC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year after finishing second in the conference with 11 goals and 27 points a year ago en route to All-Conference First Team honors and All-Region accolades. Also returning is reigning ECC Goalkeeper of the Year sophomore Kamy Anaya who went 13-3-2 last season with 45 saves, a .789 save percentage and 0.70 goals-against average. Last year's ECC Rookie of the Year Ancksu Dixon also returns after recording a team-high 33 points on 11 goals and 11 assists. Interim Head Coach Jack Nicholson also returns All-Conference honorees in graduate student Tyra Anderson and seniors Skyler Schwenkler, Jennifer Silva, and Madison Rosa. Mercy looks to win their first season opener since 2021 and start 2-0 for the first time since 2017.
Scouting the Ravens
Franklin Pierce went 16-4-3 last season, winning the East Region Championship and advancing to the NCAA Quarterfinals where they fell 2-1 in double-overtime to West Chester. The Ravens are ranked No. 12 nationally in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll and are picked to finish second in the NE10 Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for the Ravens is Aino Martikainen who was second on the team last season with 15 points on six goals and three assists. Mollie Cahalane also returns after scoring four goals with one assist and Gianna Derose returns after posting two goals and three assists a year ago. Returning in goal is Emilie Fox who went 12-3-3 last season with 81 saves, a .853 save percentage and 0.73 goals-against average.
Scouting the Penmen
Southern N.H. finished the 2022 season with a 6-6-5 record, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. The Penmen are picked to finish fourth in the NE10 Preseason Poll. 12 of the 14 Penmen who registered at least one point last season return as Southern N.H. brings back 92 percent of its offense from a year ago. Leading the returners for Southern New Hampshire is Allison Beaumont who had a team-high-tying 10 points on three goals and four assists last season. Nida Orloff also returns after posting a team-high-tying 10 points on four goals and two assists. Victoria Roulston had eight points on three goals and two assists last season and returns in 2023. Claudia Keith returns in goal after going 1-0 in two games with four saves last season.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Wednesday, September 6th when they host Dominican at 12:30 p.m.
