DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. — Powered by a hat trick from graduate student Jessica Evans (Canastota, N.Y./Canastota), the Mercy University Field Hockey Team earned a 4-2 win over NE10 foe St. Thomas Aquinas College in a Making Strides Versus Cancer Pink Game on Tuesday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (5-11, 4-7 NE10) snap a three-game losing streak and surpass their NE10 win total from last year. Mercy defeats the Spartans (3-13, 2-9 NE10) for the first time since 2023.
The game commenced with both teams taking initial shots early in the quarter. Evans attempted a shot that went wide just 39 seconds in. Defensive efforts were highlighted as sophomore Kaylise McClure (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North) made crucial saves against St. Thomas Aquinas' Clemence Papleux and Juana Rodriguez, showcasing strong defensive positioning.
Mercy maintained pressure with sophomore Charlotte Sabert (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland) taking multiple shots, but St. Thomas Aquinas' goalie, Ailsa Ogilvie, was able to block these attempts. Despite Mercy's efforts and a penalty corner by senior Samantha Trickel (Ottsville, Pa./Palisades), St. Thomas Aquinas capitalized on a penalty corner opportunity, as Papleux scored at 8:46, marking the only goal of the quarter.
The quarter concluded with Mercy trailing 1-0, after several offensive attempts and defensive stops.
In the second quarter, Mercy took advantage of a penalty corner at the 27:07 mark, with Trickel setting up the play. Evans capitalized with her tenth goal of the season, assisted by freshman Gwendolyn Smith (Sound Beach, N.Y./Miller Place), tying the score at 1-1. The quarter concluded with the score level, maintaining a tight contest heading into the next quarter.
The third quarter commenced with Mercy maintaining defensive resilience while advancing offensively. Evans broke the deadlock at the 34:50 mark, netting a goal assisted by Smith, marking Evans' 11th goal of the season. This effort extended Mercy's lead to 2-1.
Despite continued pressure from St. Thomas Aquinas, Mercy's defense held firm, supported by Trickel's penalty corner attempts and Sabert's multiple shots on goal, which were saved by Ogilvie. The quarter concluded with Mercy maintaining their advantage, closing the third with a 2-1 lead over St. Thomas Aquinas.
Sabert opened the fourth quarter for Mercy with a goal at the 46:56 mark, assisted by Evans, extending the lead to 3-1. Mercy maintained the offensive pressure with multiple shots on goal, including another attempt by Sabert, all saved by St. Thomas Aquinas' goalkeeper Ogilvie.
Evans further increased the lead to 4-1 with a goal assisted by Sabert at the 51:41 mark. Despite continued efforts from St. Thomas Aquinas, including several shots saved by McClure, they managed to narrow the gap with a goal by Lilah Magenheimer assisted by Papleux at 57:49. The game concluded with Mercy earning a 4-2 win.
Evans tallied a career-high three goals and added an assist for a career-high seven points, including the game-winning goal. Sabert recorded one goal and one assist, with ten of her twelve shots on target. Smith contributed two assists, enhancing the team's offensive efforts. McClure made nine saves, facing eleven shots on goal throughout the match.
Papleux played a key role for the Spartans, scoring one goal, providing one assist, and taking seven shots with five on target. Ogilvie made 11 saves in her 60 minutes of play, facing 15 shots on goal. Magenheimer found the back of the net with her only shot on target, contributing to the team's offensive efforts.
Mercy held a 20-14 edge in shots, a 15-11 edge in shots on goal and a 10-8 edge in penalty corners.
Looking ahead, Mercy will face Assumption University on November 1 for Senior Day. The game will take place in Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., with a start time of 11 a.m.
