DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by a combined nine goals and 11 points from sophomore Cole Hunsberger (Waterloo, Ontario/Grand River Collegiate Institute) and senior Matthew Magyar (Floral Park, N.Y./Wingate University), the No. 17 Mercy University Men's Lacrosse Team earned a 16-6 win over RV Georgian Court University in their home opener on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (2-0) win their 14th straight home opener and start 2-0 for the eighth straight season. Mercy improves to 11-0 all-time against the Lions (0-1).
Mercy began the first quarter by securing possession with sophomore Michael Mitrano (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) winning the opening faceoff. Midway through the quarter, Hunsberger scored the first goal of the game, assisted by sophomore Jackson Redmond (Riverhead, N.Y./Riverhead), putting the Mavericks ahead.
Georgian Court responded with a goal by Tyler Burns, leveling the score. However, the Mavericks regained the lead as Magyar capitalized on a man-up opportunity to score late in the quarter. The first quarter concluded with the Mavericks holding a 2-1 advantage.
The Mavericks seized momentum in the second quarter with a strong defensive effort and timely scoring. Mercy capitalized on an extra-man opportunity with senior Connor Abrahall (Holtsville, N.Y./St. John the Baptist Diocesan) finding the net, assisted by freshman Dean Kott (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), at 5:50. This goal was a turning point, as the Mavericks continued to press forward.
Junior Dillon Osorio (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Saint Anthony's) added to the lead with a goal at 2:09, and Magyar extended the advantage with a late goal, assisted by Hunsberger, at 0:40. The Mavericks' defense, anchored by junior Cameron Dorfman's (West Islip, N.Y./West Islip) saves, kept Georgian Court scoreless in the quarter. The quarter concluded with the Mavericks leading 5-1.
The Mavericks began the third quarter with a momentum-shifting goal by senior Devon Duchnowski (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) in the early moments, assisted by junior Christopher Bergersen (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale). The Mavericks maintained control on faceoffs, with sophomore Liam Neimeth (Farmingville, N.Y./Belmont Abbey College) securing possession, leading to several shot attempts, including a post hit by Hunsberger. Georgian Court responded with a goal by Vincent Burns, but the Mavericks quickly regained the upper hand with Magyar scoring off another assist from Bergersen.
The Mavericks continued to build their lead as Magyar found the net again, assisted by Hunsberger. Junior Colin Orsino (Brookhaven, N.Y./Bellport) extended the advantage with a goal, assisted by sophomore Trey Weinstein (Kitchener, Ontario/Newberry College). Despite a Georgian Court goal by Tyler Burns, the Mavericks quickly answered with junior James Goodrich (Farmingdale, N.Y./University of Bridgeport) scoring, assisted by senior Jack Agres (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale).
The quarter concluded with Georgian Court adding one more goal by Drew Barocas, but the Mavericks held a strong lead at 10-4 at the end of the third quarter.
The Mavericks entered the fourth quarter with a strong defensive stance, as Dorfman made crucial saves early on. Despite a goal by Georgian Court's Harrison Jordan, the Mavericks quickly responded with a man-up goal by Hunsberger, assisted by junior Justin Ortiz (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem East), maintaining momentum.
Hunsberger capitalized again on another extra-man opportunity, assisted by freshman Jackson Wilkinson (Scarborough, Ontario/Everest Academy), to extend the lead. Kott and Hunsberger continued the scoring streak with additional man-up goals, pushing the Mavericks further ahead. Magyar added another goal, maintaining the pressure on Georgian Court.
As the quarter wound down, freshman Sheamus Alazraki (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) sealed the performance with a late goal assisted by freshman Dean Redmond (Riverhead, N.Y./Riverhead). The quarter closed with the Mavericks firmly in control, leading to a final score of 16-6.
Mercy was led by Hunsberger who had a game-high four goals and six points to go with four ground balls. Magyar added a game-high five goals with two caused turnovers and Bergersen added a game-high three assists. Kott had a goal and an assist and Goodrich, Duchnowski, Orsino, Osorio, Alazraki and Abrahall added goals. Ortiz, Weinstein, Jackson Redmond, Dean Redmond, Agres and Wilkinson each had an assist. Weinstein added five ground balls and two caused turnovers and senior Daniel Fitzgerald (Bellmore, N.Y./Mepham) and Jackson Redmond both had two caused turnovers. Mitrano went 5-of-9 on faceoffs with two ground balls, junior Zack Ouassil (Marrakech, Morocco/CCBC Essex/Newberry College) went 5-of-7 on faceoffs and freshman Dillon Halloran (Nesconset, N.Y./Sachem North) went 4-of-7 on faceoffs. Dorfman made 10 saves in 55:49 minutes of action to earn the win. Senior Peter Murphy (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) made two saves in the final 4:11 to finish out the win.
Jordan led Georgian Court with two goals and an assist. Tyler Burns also contributed significantly with two goals and one assist. In goal, Vincent Burkhart made a game-high 14 saves to take the loss.
Mercy held a 42-26 edge in shots and a 30-18 edge in shots on goal. Mercy also held a 32-26 edge in ground balls and went 14-of-23 on faceoffs.
Head Coach Ryan MacSpadyen and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, February 21st when they play at Wilmington at 1 p.m.
