DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2024) – Powered by a goal and an assist from senior Rachel Palladino (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) and sophomore Madison Preston (Brookfield, Conn./Brookfield), the Mercy University field hockey team earned a 2-0 win over Molloy University on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.

The Mavericks (5-1) have won four games in a row and are off to their best start in program history. Mercy has now won 10 straight meetings against the Lions (1-5).

Mercy was led by Palladino who scored her second goal of the season and recorded her first assist. Preston netted her third goal of the year and her second assist of the year. Junior Rebecca McClure (Canastota, N.Y./Pace University) made two saves to earn her second shutout of the year and fifth win overall.

Molloy was led by Gianna Mastrocco who had a team-high two shots and by Kayla Balsamo who had a game-high 12 saves to take the loss.

Balsamo made four saves in the first quarter to keep the game scoreless after one quarter of play.

Balsamo stopped four more shots in the second quarter and the teams headed into halftime scoreless.

Balsamo made two more saves in the third quarter before Palladino knocked down a ball in the air into the back of the cage after Preston's shot was originally stopped, to give Mercy a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. McClure made a save in the 43rd minute to keep the Mavericks ahead 1-0 and Mercy headed into the fourth quarter up, 1-0.

Preston made it 2-0 in the 56th minute when she fired home a Palladino cross. McClure made a final save in the 57th minute to preserve the shutout and Mercy came away with the 2-0 win.

Mercy held a 16-5 edge in shots and a 14-2 edge in shots on goal. Mercy held a 12-5 edge in penalty corners.

Head Coach Marissa Spinazzola and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, September 28th when they play at Assumption at 1 p.m.