DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by a game-high four goals from freshman Ava Franco (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) and sophomore Kayden Meyer (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd) and a game-high six points from freshman Jessica Grzelaczyk (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford), the No. 19 Mercy University Women's Lacrosse Team earned an 18-6 win over ECC foe Molloy University on Wednesday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (8-1, 2-0 ECC) have won four games in a row and defeat the Lions (3-6, 0-1 ECC) for the first time since 2024. Mercy starts 8-1 for the first time since 2021.
Mercy initiated the first quarter with a strong offensive presence, as senior Andrea Mott (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) scored the opening goal on a woman-up opportunity, assisted by junior Riley Wallace (Islip, N.Y./Islip). This early lead was quickly expanded when junior Juliana Talenti (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) scored with an assist from Mott, followed by an unassisted goal from Meyer to make it 3-0 at the 10:17 mark. Mercy's defense also played a crucial role, with senior Olivia LaMonica (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) making key saves to maintain their advantage.
An Emma Brazier goal at the 8:37 mark made it 3-1. Dominating the draw controls, the Mavericks continued to apply pressure with Grzelaczyk and Wallace each finding the net, extending the lead to 5-1. Sophomore Ashlinn Kelly (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) added another goal with an assist from Grzelaczyk, further increasing the margin. The Mavericks' offensive drive was relentless as Meyer and Kelly each scored again, to give Mercy an 8-1 lead.
The quarter concluded with Mercy firmly in control, as Franco and Grzelaczyk added goals to solidify a commanding 10–1 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Mercy opened the second quarter with a defensive stop by freshman Keira Laibach (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Dominic), leading to a free position goal from Kelly at 13:42, making it 11-1. The Lions responded with a player-up goal from Brazier, but Mercy quickly regained momentum. Meyer scored at 9:50 with assistance from Wallace to make it 12-2.
A Molloy goal with 7:25 on the clock made it 12-3. Mott capitalized on a woman-up opportunity, scoring a goal with an assist from Talenti at 6:09. Franco extended the lead with a woman-up free position goal at 4:18, giving Mercy a 14-3 lead. The Mavericks headed into halftime with a 14-3 lead.
Mercy asserted its control in the third quarter with a strong offensive showing. Franco initiated the scoring with a goal at 11:23, assisted by Grzelaczyk, setting the tone for Mercy's momentum. The Mavericks continued to dominate as Grzelaczyk found the back of the net at 7:16, followed by a goal from Meyer at 5:10, extending the lead to 17-3.
The Lions managed to respond with a goal by Ava Benasutti at 2:59, but the Mavericks maintained pressure and control throughout the quarter. Freshman Emma Batter (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) contributed defensively with crucial saves, ensuring Mercy closed the quarter firmly in the lead. Mercy headed to the fourth quarter with a 17-4 lead.
The fourth quarter began with the Mavericks holding a significant lead over the Lions. Early in the period, Molloy capitalized on a free position attempt, with Benasutti scoring to make it 17-5. However, Mercy responded decisively when Franco found the back of the net, making it 18-5 with 9:55 left.
Midway through the quarter, Mercy's defense, led by graduate student Kate McNally (Hillburn, N.Y./SUNY Oswego), forced multiple turnovers, keeping the pressure on the Lions. Brazier managed to score for Molloy with an assist from Cameron Thompson to make it 18-6, but Mercy's draw control dominance, highlighted by freshman Brielle Bilello (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) and McNally, ensured their control of the game. The Mavericks cruised the rest of the way to the 18-6 win.
Mercy was led by Meyer and Franco who both had a game-high-tying four goals. Meyer added two caused turnovers and four ground balls and Franco had three draw controls. Grzelaczyk had a game-high six points on three goals and three assists and Mott added two goals and two assists. Wallace had a goal and two assists and Kelly recorded three goals. Talenti contributed a goal and an assist and sophomore Kiera Medina (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields) dished out an assist. Senior Emily Marino (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) had two caused turnovers and three ground balls and McNally had two caused turnovers. Freshman Emma Synan (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) recorded two caused turnovers and two ground balls and Bilello had a team-high five draw controls. LaMonica made five saves in the first half to earn the win. Batter made four saves in 22:48 minutes of action and junior Olivia Bradley (Commack, N.Y./Commack) played the final 7:12 in goal.
Molloy was led by Emma Brazier and Ava Benasutti who both had a team-high three goals. Nicole Schaumloffel made a game-high eight saves to take the loss.
Mercy held a 30-17 edge in shots, an 18-11 edge in ground balls and a 14-12 edge in draw controls.
Head Coach Dawn Sachs and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, March 28th when they play at STAC at 12 p.m.
