DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. — Despite a goal from senior Samantha Trickel (Ottsville, Pa./Palisades), the Mercy University Field Hockey Team dropped a 3-1 decision to NE10 foe Southern New Hampshire University on Saturday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (4-10, 3-6 NE10) have dropped two games in a row and fall to the Penmen (10-4, 6-2 NE10) for the seventh straight time.
Southern N.H. capitalized on early opportunities, scoring three goals in the first quarter to lead the Mavericks 3-0. Kim Dull opened the scoring with a penalty stroke goal at 6:59, followed by a goal from Addison Battis after a penalty corner at 12:24. Zoe Demers added a third goal for Southern N.H. at 13:26. The quarter ended with the Penmen up, 3-0.
The second quarter saw the Mavericks apply pressure with two penalty corners initiated by Trickel, but sophomore Madison Brefka's (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero North Syracuse) attempt was saved by Agustina Miranda Waigand at 17:11. Mercy's defense, highlighted by sophomore Adrianna Taynor's (Phillipsburg, N.J./Phillipsburg) defensive save at 24:38, countered Southern N.H.'s offensive efforts. At the end of the quarter, Southern N.H. maintained a 3-0 lead.
The Mavericks and Southern N.H. traded opportunities in a scoreless third quarter, with strong defensive efforts from both sides. The Mavericks' offense was highlighted by a penalty corner at 32:22, leading to a shot by Brefka that went wide. Sophomore Kaylise McClure (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) kept Southern N.H. off the board with key saves on shots by Battis and Abby Forbes. Despite these defensive stops, Mercy remained behind with the score at 3-0 in favor of Southern N.H. at the end of the quarter.
Mercy capitalized on a penalty corner early in the fourth quarter as Trickel scored her first goal of the season at 45:53, narrowing the lead to 3-1. The Mavericks consistently pressured Southern N.H., earning multiple penalty corners. McClure anchored the defense with three crucial saves, preserving Mercy's advantage through the quarter. The game concluded with the scoreboard reading 3-1 in favor of the Penmen.
Trickel scored her first goal of the season. McClure recorded eight saves while facing 11 shots on goal. Brefka contributed with three total shots, one of which was on target. Graduate student Jessica Evans (Canastota, N.Y./Canastota) ensured pressure on the opposition by landing two shots on goal. Taynor recorded her first defensive save of the year.
Addison Battis, a key player for Southern N.H., found the back of the net once, contributing to the team's success with three shots on goal. Kim Dull showcased her scoring ability, leading the team with one goal from seven shots, including a game-winning goal. Zoe Demers also made a significant impact, scoring one goal and maintaining a perfect shooting accuracy with two shots on goal. Miranda Waigand made three saves to earn the win.
Southern New Hampshire held a 17-7 edge in shots, a 12-4 edge in shots on goal and penalty corners were tied at 6-6.
The next challenge for the Mavericks takes them on the road to face Saint Anselm College. The matchup is set for October 25 in Manchester, N.H., with the action beginning at noon.
