MILLERSVILLE, Pa. — Despite a combined 16 saves from senior Rebecca McClure (Canastota, N.Y./Pace University) and sophomore Kaylise McClure (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North), the Mercy University Field Hockey Team dropped a 4-0 decision at Millersville University on Thursday night at Chryst Field.
The Mavericks (1-2) fall to the Marauders (3-0) for the fourth straight time.
The first quarter saw Mercy's defense tested early as Millersville launched a series of attacks, with Rebecca McClure making crucial saves at 1:26, 1:31, and 1:36 to keep the score close. Despite her efforts, Millersville's Paige Webster managed to break through with a goal at 1:52, assisted by Myah Yesko. The Mavericks' defense held firm following the early goal, successfully defending several penalty corners and shots to keep the deficit at one heading into the next quarter.
The second quarter began with Millersville's Alexis Kern scoring just 22 seconds in, assisted by Erin Esterhuizen, marking Kern's fourth goal of the season. Rebecca McClure, proved instrumental, repeatedly denying Millersville's attempts with key saves at 19:15, 19:22, and 22:00, maintaining the scoreline despite a flurry of shots from the home team. McClure's resilience in goal was evident as she thwarted several close-range efforts throughout the quarter, ensuring Mercy remained within striking distance.
The third quarter opened with Millersville applying early pressure, resulting in multiple penalty corners. The Mavericks' goalkeeper, Kaylise McClure, made crucial saves against shots from Emma Ruley and Megan Alvarez in the first few minutes. Despite a penalty corner opportunity for Mercy at the 39:32 mark, a shot by freshman Gwendolyn Smith (Sound Beach, N.Y./Miller Place) was blocked. Millersville capitalized on a penalty corner at 43:29, with Teagan Byler scoring her first goal of the season, closing the quarter with a 3-0 lead.
The fourth quarter began with Millersville applying pressure early, as Emma Ruley scored at 45:56 after two quick saves by Kaylise McClure. Mercy responded with a penalty corner at 49:11, executed by senior Samantha Trickel (Ottsville, Pa./Palisades), leading to a shot by sophomore Madison Brefka (Cicero, N.Y./Cicero North Syracuse) that was saved by Millersville's Addy Arkhurst. Despite several defensive efforts, including multiple saves by McClure, Mercy was unable to convert their opportunities, concluding the quarter with a 4-0 score in favor of Millersville.
Goalkeeper Rebecca McClure recorded 10 saves over the first half, facing 12 shots and allowing two goals to take the loss. Brefka managed a shot on goal, testing the opposing goalkeeper during her time in midfield. Kaylise McClure, also in goal, added a career-high six saves in her 30 minutes of action, facing eight shots and conceding two goals. Smith contributed one shot from the midfield, though it did not find the target.
Emma Ruley and Teagan Byler each scored for Millersville, with Ruley taking all four of her shots on goal while also contributing an assist. Paige Webster netted the game-winning goal and finished with a perfect shooting percentage. Myah Yesko assisted on a crucial goal and matched her shots on goal with Ruley, both registering four.
Millersville held a 31-2 edge in shots, a 20-1 edge in shots on goal and a 17-3 edge in penalty corners.
Looking ahead, Mercy's team travels to New Haven to face Southern Connecticut State University on September 13 at 1 p.m.
