RINDGE, N.H. – Powered by a game-high-tying seven saves from sophomore Anneliese Becker (Stafford, Va./Mountain View) and penalty kick goals from senior Emma Best (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), juniors Ella Gallino (Middlebury, Conn./Pomperaug) and Sarah Lill Hanks (Skedsmokorset, Norway/High Point University) and freshman Camila Salvador (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College) in a shootout, the No. 3 seeded Mercy University Women's Soccer Team earned a 0-0 draw with No. 6 seed Roberts Wesleyan University, advancing to the Second Round after winning penalty kicks, 4-3, on Friday afternoon in the First Round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship at Sodexo Field.
The Mavericks (14-3-3) advance to the Second Round for the first time since 2022 and will play at No. 2 seed Franklin Pierce University on Sunday, November 23rd at 12 p.m. The Redhawks (11-3-5) see their season come to an end after beating Mercy last week in the ECC Championship. The Mavericks advance to the Second Round for the first time under Head Coach Jack Nicholson.
Mercy and Roberts Wesleyan battled to a scoreless first half, with both teams unable to capitalize on their opportunities. Becker made four crucial saves, denying the Redhawks' attempts, including a last-minute shot by Alyssa Hackett. Despite earning two corner kicks, the Mavericks struggled to find the net, with senior Ancksu Dixon (Freeport, N.Y./Freeport) and sophomore Hailey Metzger (Levittown, N.Y./MacArthur) leading the offense with shots on goal. The teams entered halftime tied at 0-0.
Mercy maintained offensive pressure in the second half, generating eight corner kicks and recording several attempts on goal. Despite a strong defensive effort from Roberts Wesleyan's goalkeeper, Mia Tyndell, who saved multiple shots including a notable stop in the 52nd minute, neither team managed to break the deadlock. The period ended with both teams held scoreless, maintaining the tie.
Mercy controlled the early stages of overtime with two corner kicks in the opening five minutes, but couldn't capitalize as Best's shot went wide at 95:01. Roberts Wesleyan countered with a shot by Nevaeh Bunch that was saved by Becker at 95:39, followed by another attempt that went wide. The teams remained deadlocked at the end of the period with a 0-0 scoreline.
In the second overtime period, Mercy's aggressive play was evident as they recorded three shots in quick succession by Salvador, culminating in a save by the Redhawks' goalkeeper, Tyndell, at the 106th minute. Earlier in the period, Mercy was caught offside twice, which disrupted their offensive momentum. Despite both teams creating opportunities, the score remained unchanged at the end of the period.
In the shootout period, Mercy secured a decisive advantage by converting all four of their attempts. Lill Hanks, Best, Gallino, and Salvador each successfully scored. The Redhawks missed two of their five attempts, with Kara Choate and Nevaeh Bunch unable to find the net, leading to Mercy winning the shootout, 4-3, to advance to Sunday's second round.
Becker recorded seven saves, maintaining a shutout across 110 minutes. Metzger led the team with four shots, two of which were on goal. Salvador contributed with three shots and registered one shot on goal. Dixon also added four shots, including one on target.
Tyndell was pivotal in goal with seven saves, maintaining a clean sheet over 110 minutes. On the offensive front, Choate and Hackett were active, each registering five and four shots, respectively, with two on target.
Mercy held an 18-14 edge in shots, shots on goal were tied at 7-7 and Mercy held a 12-5 edge in corner kicks.
Head Coach Jack Nicholson and the Mavericks resume action Sunday when they play at Franklin Pierce in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament at 12 p.m.
