DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Despite a goal from senior Sarah Lill Hanks (Skedsmokorset, Norway/High Point University) and a game-high six saves from junior Anneliese Becker (Stafford, Va./Mountain View), the No. 1 seeded Mercy University Women's Soccer Team earned a 1-1 draw against No. 2 seeded Molloy University, falling in penalty kicks, 6-5, in the ECC Women's Soccer Championship Final on Saturday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (11-3-5) finish as ECC Runner-Up for the second straight year and fourth time in program history. The Lions (7-6-4) win their fifth ECC Championship and first since 2024. Molloy earns the ECC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Mercy will now await a possible NCAA Tournament berth with the selection show set for Monday, November 9th at 7 p.m. at NCAA.com. Molloy's Jana Strait was named the Championship's Most Outstanding Player.
Mercy took an early 1-0 lead in the 4th minute of play. A Molloy handball in the box led to Hanks converting on a penalty kick, giving the Mavericks an early lead.
Both Becker and Molloy goalkeeper Elyse Muñoz made a save before the Lions tied the game at 1-1 in the 38th minute. After a Mercy foul in the box, Strait scored on the ensuing penalty kick, tying the game. Becker made a final save to end the half, sending the game into halftime tied at 1-1.
Becker made a key save in the 83rd minute on an Emily Scali breakaway attempt to keep the game tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation.
Junior Hailey Metzger (Levittown, N.Y./MacArthur) hit the crossbar in the 95th minute for Mercy, but the score remained 1-1, sending the game into a second overtime.
Becker made three saves in the second overtime and Muñoz stopped one shot, sending the game into penalty kicks tied at 1-1.
Hanks connected on the first penalty kick for Mercy and Becker made a stop on the attempt by Isabella Muro. Junior Ana Polychroniades (Smithtown, N.Y./St. John's Preparatory), senior Ella Gallino (Middlebury, Conn./Pomperaug) and sophomore Camila Salvador (Santiago, Chile/Santiago College) all made their penalty kicks for Mercy. Metzger had her attempt stopped by Muñoz and freshman Connor Leahy (Bayport, N.Y./Bayport-Blue Point) later made her attempt. Sophomore Casey Szczotka (Mattituck, N.Y./Mattituck) sent her attempt high, and Angelina Rodriguez followed with a make for Molloy, giving the Lions the 6-5 edge in penalty kicks and the ECC Championship.
Mercy was led by Hanks who scored her third goal of the season and by Becker who mad e game-high six saves.
Molloy was led by Strait who scored and by Muñoz who made two saves.
Molloy held a 16-8 edge in shots, a 7-3 edge in shots on goal and a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.
