DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 6, 2024) – Powered by the game-winning goal in the 55th minute from junior Samantha Trickel (Ottsville, Pa./Palisades), off an assist from freshman Madison Brefka (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero North Syracuse), the Mercy University field hockey team opened its 2024 season with a 1-0 win over Roberts Wesleyan University on Friday afternoon at Mercy Field.

The Mavericks (1-0) win their season opener for the first time since 2022 and defeat the Redhawks (0-1) for the second straight season.

Mercy was led by Trickel who scored her fourth career goal. Brefka recorded her first collegiate assist in her collegiate debut. Junior Rebecca McClure (Canastota, N.Y./Pace University) made five saves to earn the shutout win.

Roberts Wesleyan was led by Avery Richardson who made a game-high 18 saves to take the loss.

Richardson made 13 saves in the first three quarters and McClure stopped four shots through three quarters to keep the game scoreless heading into the fourth quarter.

The score remained 0-0 heading late into the fourth quarter when Trickel fired a corner that found Brefka on the right side of the circle. Brefka then fired the ball from right to left, finding Trickel who put the ball into the back of the cage to give Mercy a 1-0 lead with just over five minutes left to play.

McClure made a final save with just under five minutes left to preserve the shutout, giving Mercy the 1-0 win.

Mercy held a 23-6 edge in shots and a 19-5 edge in shots on goal. The Mavericks also held a 10-2 edge in penalty corners.

Head Coach Marissa Spinazzola and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, September 11th when they play at Bloomsburg at 4 p.m.