DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by the game-winning goal from senior Alyssa Benvengo (East Islip, N.Y./Molloy University) in the 69th minute, off an assist from junior Charlotte Sabert (Mohegan Lake, N.Y./Lakeland), and 10 saves from junior Kaylise McClure (Lake Grove, N.Y./Sachem North), the No. 1 seeded Mercy University Field Hockey Team earned a 1-0 overtime win over No. 4 seeded D'Youville University in an ECC Field Hockey Championship Semifinal matchup on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (10-7) advance to the first-ever ECC Field Hockey Championship Final and now have a program-record 10 wins. Mercy has won a program-record eight games in a row and defeat the Saints (7-11) for the second time this season. The Mavericks will host the winner of Roberts Wesleyan/Dominican in the final on Saturday, November 14th at 12 p.m.
McClure made three saves in the first quarter to keep the game scoreless at the end of the opening quarter.
McClure ended the second quarter with three saves and the game remained scoreless at halftime.
McClure stopped one shot in the third quarter and one shot in the fourth quarter. A junior Jaime Stella (Hawley, Pa./Wallenpaupack) breakaway attempt was stopped by D'Youville goalie Sarah Reifsnyder in the 57th minute. The game remained scoreless at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.
McClure made two saves in the overtime period to keep it 0-0. Benvengo scored the game-winning goal in the 69th minute when she deflected in a Sabert shot attempt, giving Mercy the 1-0 win.
Mercy was led by Benvengo who recorded her team-leading eighth goal of the season and her team-leading fourth game-winning goal. Sabert dished out her third assist of the year, and McClure made 10 saves to earn her 10th win of the season and fourth shutout. McClure becomes the first goalie in program history to record over 200 saves in a season. The junior now has 207 saves this year.
D'Youville was led by Reifsnyder who made a game-high 16 saves to take the loss.
Mercy held a 22-15 edge in shots and a 17-10 edge in shots on goal. D'Youville held a 15-10 edge in penalty corners.
Head Coach Marissa Spinazzola and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, November 14th when they host the winner of Roberts Wesleyan/Dominican in the ECC Championship Final at 12 p.m.
