SPARKILL, N.Y. – Powered by 13 different Mavericks recording a point and eight Mavericks producing a caused turnover, the No. 19 Mercy University Women's Lacrosse Team earned a convincing 24-0 win at ECC foe St. Thomas Aquinas College on Saturday afternoon at Spartan Field.
The Mavericks (9-1, 3-0 ECC) have won five games in a row and defeat the Spartans (0-6, 0-2 ECC) for the 11th straight time. Mercy holds STAC scoreless for the first time since 2023 and the shutout is the first posted by the Mavericks since March 22, 2024 against UDC. The 24 goals scored by Mercy are a new program record, surpassing the previous total of 23 scored three times previously. The 24-goal margin of victory is the largest in program history and the Mavericks' 23 assists match the school record set against UDC last season.
Mercy began the first quarter with a strong offensive showing, taking control from the start. Ava Franco (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) won the initial draw control, setting the stage for their attack. Sophomore Ashlinn Kelly (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) opened the scoring at 12:35, assisted by freshman Jessica Grzelaczyk (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford). The Mavericks continued their momentum with junior Juliana Talenti (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) scoring shortly after, again assisted by Grzelaczyk. Grzelaczyk later made it 3-0, off an assist from Kelly, at 11:16.
Mercy maintained dominance with rapid succession goals, including a notable contribution from senior Andrea Mott (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) at 10:07. Talenti made it 5-0 following a freshman Brigid Burns (Syracuse, N.Y./Corcoran) assist at 9:15. Junior Riley Wallace (Islip, N.Y./Islip) added to the tally with an assist from Franco, making it 6-0. A Mott goal from Grzelaczyk made it 7-0 and Kelly capped off the scoring in the quarter with an assist from sophomore Kiera Medina (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields) to make it 8-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Mavericks dominated the second quarter with a strong offensive performance, starting with Kelly scoring at the 14:48 mark, assisted by Medina. The momentum continued as graduate student Kate McNally (Hillburn, N.Y./SUNY Oswego) netted two successive goals, assisted by sophomore Dakota Dieumegard (Islip, N.Y./Islip) and Franco, respectively to make it 11-0 at 13:07. Talenti gave Mercy a 12-0 lead following a Grzelaczyk assist with 9:53 on the clock. Sophomore Kayden Meyer (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd) then took control, scoring twice, giving Mercy a 14-0 lead.
Mercy's defense maintained pressure, causing several turnovers and limiting the visitors' opportunities. Freshman Brielle Bilello (Hauppauge, N.Y./Hauppauge) made it 15-0 and Kelly capped off the scoring in the half with a goal from Talenti to give Mercy a commanding 16-0 lead at halftime.
Mercy began the third quarter with a significant momentum shift as freshman Sophia Pittoni (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place) scored a woman-up goal with assistance from Talenti, making it 17-0. Bilello secured the ensuing draw control, maintaining possession for the Mavericks.
Continuing their offensive push, Meyer found the net twice more in the quarter, with Franco assisting on both occasions, making it 19-0 at 4:13. Despite a couple of turnovers, Mercy's defense, led by players like freshman Emma Synan (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place), effectively disrupted their opponent's offensive attempts. The quarter closed with Mercy holding a 19-0 lead.
Mercy opened the fourth quarter with a decisive momentum shift when Bilello caused a turnover, leading to a ground ball pickup and a goal by Grzelaczyk, assisted by Meyer, at 14:30. Bilello continued to dominate the draw controls, enabling them to maintain possession and find the back of the net again through Grzelaczyk, this time assisted by Mott at 13:22.
Mercy's offensive onslaught continued with another goal by Bilello, assisted by Pittoni at 11:30, making it 22-0. The Mavericks' defensive pressure forced multiple turnovers from their opponents, highlighted by Talenti's defensive efforts. Mercy capitalized on another opportunity with a goal from Mott, assisted by Bilello, at 7:05, making it 23-0.
Mercy maintained control, adding another goal by Dieumegard, assisted by Pittoni, at 5:20, to give the Mavericks a 24-0 lead. Throughout the quarter, the Mavericks effectively controlled possession and stifled St. Thomas Aquinas, closing the game with a 24–0 victory.
Mercy was led by Grzelaczyk who had a game-high seven points on three goals and four assists. Meyer added four goals and one assist to go with five draw controls and Kelly recorded four goals and one assist. Kelly recorded her 100th career point in just her 27th career game. Talenti added three goals, two assists and three caused turnovers and Franco dished out a career-high six assists with five ground balls and five draw controls. Mott contributed three goals and an assist and McNally scored her first two career goals. Bilello scored her first two collegiate goals and added an assist, three caused turnovers and five draw controls. Pittoni netted her first collegiate goal and had two assists and Dieumegard finished with a goal, two assists and four ground balls. Wallace had a goal and Medina dished out two assists. Burns dished out her first collegiate assist and Synan had two caused turnovers. Freshman Emma Batter (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) made her first collegiate start in goal and made one save in the first half to earn the win. Senior Olivia LaMonica (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) and junior Olivia Bradley (Commack, N.Y./Commack) combined to play the second half in goal without facing a shot on goal.
STAC was led by Jada Garcia who recorded one shot. Lilah Magenheimer made six saves to take the loss.
Mercy held a 35-1 edge in shots, a 33-5 edge in ground balls and a 20-5 edge in draw controls.
Head Coach Dawn Sachs and the Mavericks resume action on Thursday, April 2nd when they host Pace at 4 p.m.
