DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Despite six different Mavericks scoring, the No. 25 Mercy University Women's Lacrosse Team dropped a 19-7 decision to two-time defending National Champion No. 5 University of Tampa on Saturday afternoon at Mercy Field.
The Mavericks (4-1) suffer their first loss of the season and fall to 0-5 all-time against the Spartans (3-1).
The game began with Tampa taking control early, securing the initial draw and quickly finding the net through Audrey Kahoun. The Spartans continued to apply pressure, adding another goal from Isabel McGarvey. Despite efforts from Mercy, including a turnover caused by junior Riley Wallace (Islip, N.Y./Islip), Tampa extended its lead further with goals from Peyton Howell and Mary Kate Person, taking a 4-0 lead with 7:40 left in the first quarter.
Mercy responded midway through the quarter when senior Andrea Mott (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) scored a woman-up goal, assisted by sophomore Kayden Meyer (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd), cutting into Tampa's lead. However, the Spartans maintained momentum, scoring four times before the end of the quarter. The quarter concluded with Tampa leading Mercy, 8-1.
Mercy began the second quarter with strong momentum as freshman Ava Franco (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) scored a woman-up goal assisted by junior Juliana Talenti (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage). Shortly thereafter, Meyer added another woman-up goal to make it 8-3. Wallace later made it 8-4, and Meyer added another with help from Franco, bringing the score to 8-5, forcing a Tampa timeout with 10:09 left in the half. A freshman Jessica Grzelaczyk (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) woman-up goal from Talenti later made it 8-6 with 9:11 remaining in the half.
Despite Mercy's early surge, Tampa managed to counter with a goal from Person, assisted by Howell, giving the Spartans a 9-6 lead. As the quarter wound down, Tampa's offense found its rhythm, as Howell scored twice in the final minute to close the half with Tampa leading 11-6.
Tampa started the third quarter with a strong push, scoring early with goals from Person and Josie Bullock to take a 13-6 lead with 12:53 left in the quarter. The Spartans continued to control possession, adding two more goals through the quarter, including another from Bullock and a goal by Jill Cobaugh, assisted by Maddie Szyluk, giving the visitors a 15-6 lead with 10:21 on the clock.
Mercy attempted to counter with shots from Grzelaczyk and Meyer, but both were saved by Tampa's goalkeeper, Savvy Barbosa. The Spartans headed to the fourth quarter with a 15-6 lead.
The fourth quarter opened with Person scoring at the 14:22 mark to make it 16-6. Meyer secured the ensuing draw control for Mercy and sophomore Ashlinn Kelly (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) followed with a goal at 12:45, making 16-7. Tampa scored the final three goals of the game, to earn the 19-7 win.
Meyer recorded two goals and one assist to go with five draw controls and two ground balls. Franco contributed with a goal and an assist and Kelly had a goal, two caused turnovers and four ground balls. Wallace, Mott and Grzelaczyk added goals and Talenti had a team-high two assists. Seniors Emily Marino (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) and Rita-Marie Masi (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) and freshman Keira Laibach (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Dominic) each added two caused turnovers. Senior Olivia LaMonica (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) made two saves in the first quarter to take the loss. Freshman Emma Batter (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) made a career-high five saves in 38:58 minutes of action and sophomore Liz Byrne (North Babylon, N.Y./North Babylon) played the final 6:02 in goal.
Tampa was led by Person who had a game-high 10 points on six goals and four assists. Savvy Barbosa made a game-high eight saves to earn the win.
Tampa held a 40-20 edge in shots, 26-15 edge in shots on goal, a 20-16 edge in ground balls and a 17-10 edge in draw controls.
Head Coach Dawn Sachs and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, March 11th when they play at Southern Connecticut State at 4 p.m.
