DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 4, 2024) – The Mercy University women's soccer team opens its 2024 season on Friday, September 6th when they face Franklin Pierce University at Queens College at 6 p.m. Mercy will then face Southern New Hampshire University on Sunday, September 8th at 3 p.m. at Queens College.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Friday, September 6th 6 p.m.
Records (2023): Mercy (9-5-3), Franklin Pierce (7-5-6)
Location: Flushing, N.Y.
Date/Time: Sunday, September 8th 3 p.m.
Records (2023): Mercy (9-5-3), Southern N.H. (10-5-5)
Location: Flushing, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Franklin Pierce
Mercy earned a 1-1 draw at Franklin Pierce on September 1, 2023.
Last Meeting vs. Southern N.H.
Mercy dropped a 4-1 decision to Southern N.H. on September 3, 2023.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy is coming off a season in which they went 9-5-3 and advanced to the Semifinals of the ECC Championship. The Mavericks look to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in seven seasons and make the ECC Championship for the 11th straight season. Mercy was picked third in the ECC Preseason Poll and senior Skyler Schwenkler was tabbed ECC Preseason Defensive Player of the Week. Leading the returners for head coach Jack Nicholson is Schwenkler who was named D2CCA Second Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC last season after starting all 17 games with three assists in 1,444 minutes. Junior Ancksu Dixon also returns after being named United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Region and First Team All-ECC after recording five goals, three assists and 13 points. She led the team in points and tied for the team lead in goals and assists. Also returning is junior Maleah Tarin who was named Second Team All-ECC after recording four goals and nine points. Senior Amiah Washington also returns after tying for the team lead with five goals in 2023. Sophomore Angelina Ortiz is back in the fold after scoring three goals as a freshman last season and senior Isabella Messina and junior Rita-Marie Masi return on the backline after leading a defense that allowed 16 goals in 17 games. Nicholson also adds 10 newcomers to the squad that looks to help get the Mavericks back to the NCAA Tournament. 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 7-5-6 last season, falling in the NE10 Championship Semifinals. The Ravens were picked second in the NE10 Preseason Poll and advanced to the National Quarterfinals in 2022 after going 16-4-3. Leading the returners for Franklin Pierce is Claudia Peirce who had a team-high 17 points on seven goals and three assists last season. Gianna Derose also returns after netting two goals and three assists and Mollie Cahalane is back after posting three goals in 2023. Returning in goal is Emilie Fox who went 7-5-6 in goal last season with five shutouts, 71 saves, a .780 save percentage and 1.13 goals-against average.
Scouting the Penmen
Southern New Hampshire went 10-5-5 last season, falling in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Penmen were picked third in the NE10 Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for Southern N.H. is Carly Schofield who had a team-high 20 points on a team-high nine goals with two assists. Alyssa Anderson also returns after netting five goals and two assists and Georgia Greene is back after posting four goals and two assists in 2023. Claudia Keith is back in goal after going 10-5-5 last season with six shutouts, 84 saves, a .800 save percentage and 1.08 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy hosts Georgian Court on Wednesday, September 11th at 3 p.m.
