BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Mercy University Field Hockey Team plays at D'Youville University in their ECC opener on Saturday, October 3rd at 11 a.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Saturday, October 3rd 11 a.m.
Records: Mercy (1-4, 0-0 ECC), D'Youville (2-4, 0-0 ECC)
Location: Buffalo, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. D'Youville
Mercy earned a 4-1 win at D'Youville on September 7, 2025.
Scouting the Mavericks
The Mavericks are coming off a 2-1 win at Franklin Pierce on September 19th. Mercy was led by senior Kate Lynne Conklin and junior Madison Brefka who both scored. The Mavericks are 2-0 all-time against D'Youville. Conklin was named ECC Player of the Week on September 22nd, junior Kaylise McClure was named Goalkeeper of the Week, sophomore Gwendolyn Smith was tabbed Defensive Player of the Week, freshman Addison Testa was named Rookie of the Week and senior Alyssa Benvengo and Brefka were tabbed to the Honor Roll. Junior Charlotte Sabert was named ECC Player of the Week on September 15th and junior Madison Brefka and sophomore Gwendolyn Smith were tabbed to the Honor Roll. McClure was named to the ECC Honor Roll on September 8th.
Mercy has been led by Brefka who has a team-high two goals and four points. Sabert, Conklin and Smith all have three points on one goal and one assist. Benvengo has a goal and freshman Addison Testa has one assist. Smith and junior Adrianna Taynor each have two defensive saves and sophomore Gianna Bevacqua has one defensive save. McClure is 1-4 with 88 saves, a .786 save percentage and 5.05 goals-against average. McClure recorded her 200th career save against Adelphi on September 16th.
Mercy is coming off a season in which they went 5-12 in their final season as members of the NE10. Head Coach Marissa Spinazzola and the Mavericks join the newly formed ECC this season. Mercy was picked first in the inaugural ECC Preseason Poll and junior Charlotte Sabert was named Preseason Co-Player of the Year.
Leading the returners for the Mavericks is Sabert who had 19 points on eight goals and three assists last season. Junior Madison Brefka returns after posting nine points on three goals and three assists and sophomore Gwendolyn Smith is back after recording a team-high four assists with one goal. Senior Alyssa Benvengo had three goals last season and and senior Kate Lynne Conklin is back after posting two assists and two defensive saves a year ago. Junior Eunice Santiago recorded a team-high four defensive saves last season and junior Adrianna Taynor also returns after starting all 17 games last season with one defensive save. Returning in goal is junior Kaylise McClure who won a team-high four games last season and had a team-high 142 saves with a 2.89 goals-against average and .802 save percentage. Also returning are juniors Jaime Stella and Lilliauna Tepper and sophomore Gianna Bevacqua.
Spinazzola also bring in a strong recruiting class, highlighted by five freshmen. Joining the Mavericks as freshmen this year are Sarah Abbas, Keira DeWit, Addison Testa, Ellie Stoklosa, and Jerilyn Bow. The six freshmen will look to contribute immediately.
Conklin, Brefka and McClure will serve as team captains during the 2026 season.
Scouting the Saints
D'Youville is coming off a 6-0 loss at Southern New Hampshire on Monday. The Saints went 1-12 last season and were picked third in the ECC Preseason Poll. D'Youville has been led by Jimena Loustalot who has a team-high six points on two goals and two assists and by Rowynn Pickering who has two goals and four points. Pickering and Breanna Puccia both have a defensive save and Sarah Reifsnyder is 1-4 with 50 saves, a .735 save percentage and 4.80 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy plays at Roberts Wesleyan on Tuesday, October 6th at 4 p.m.
