AMHERST, N.Y. – Powered by a combined nine goals from freshman Jessica Grzelaczyk (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) and sophomore Angela Taddeo (Babylon, N.Y./Stony Brook University) and a game-high 13 draw controls from senior Maeghan Callow (Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge), the No. 18 Mercy University Women's Lacrosse Team earned a 22-9 win at ECC foe Daemen University on Saturday afternoon at Royal Park.

The Mavericks (11-2, 4-0 ECC) have won two games in a row and improve to 5-0 all-time against the Wildcats (7-4, 2-1 ECC). The win is Head Coach Dawn Sachs' 150th career win as head coach of the Mavericks. Sachs currently holds a 150-81 record as Mercy's head coach.

Mercy began the first quarter with decisive momentum, as freshman Ava Franco (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) scored the opening goal shortly after the draw control secured by sophomore Kayden Meyer (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd). Following a brief equalizer from Daemen, Mercy responded with a goal from junior Riley Wallace (Islip, N.Y./Islip), assisted by sophomore Ashlinn Kelly (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale), to give Mercy a 2-1 lead at 11:52.

Mercy continued its offensive push with another goal by Wallace on a free position attempt, extending its advantage to 3-1. Franco, capitalizing on a woman-up situation, added to Mercy's tally with assistance from Kelly. Taddeo and Grzelaczyk further widened the lead with consecutive goals, the latter assisted by Meyer, giving the Mavericks a 6-1 lead at 5:32.

Despite a woman-up goal by Daemen's Avery Castner late in the quarter, Mercy maintained control, as Grzelaczyk scored her second goal of the quarter with another assist from Kelly. The quarter closed with Mercy leading 7–2, establishing a strong foundation for the remainder of the game.

Mercy opened the second quarter with an impressive scoring drive, as Grzelaczyk, Meyer, and Taddeo each found the net within the first few minutes, quickly extending the lead to 10-2 at 13:11. Callow's draw control dominance contributed significantly to maintaining possession and creating scoring opportunities.

The offensive momentum continued with Kelly adding another goal, prompting a timeout from Daemen. Mercy capitalized on woman-up situations with goals from Taddeo, assisted by Franco, and sophomore Kiera Medina (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields), maintaining their offensive pressure. Despite a goal from Daemen's Adison Pollutro, Mercy responded with Grzelaczyk scoring twice more, with the second assisted by Meyer, giving the Mavericks a 15-3 lead at 1:03.

The quarter concluded with a late goal from Daemen's Ella Bouley, but Mercy held a commanding lead, closing the half at 15–4.

Franco initiated the third quarter with a goal at 12:57, assisted by Wallace, maintaining the momentum for Mercy. Despite a response from Bouley with a woman-up goal and two more goals from Castner, Mercy continued to assert its presence. Callow secured a crucial draw control, and senior Andrea Mott (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place) capitalized on a successful clear to score at 3:31, extending Mercy's lead to 17-7.

As the quarter progressed, Meyer added another goal at 1:53 after a draw control by Callow, strengthening the team's position. Mercy closed the quarter with a commanding 18-7 lead.

Mercy started the fourth quarter with a strong defensive play, as Kelly forced a turnover and quickly recovered the ground ball, setting the tone for the quarter. After Daemen's early goal by Castner, Mercy responded with Kelly finding the net at 11:24, making it 19-8.

Mercy then took control with Taddeo scoring at 8:53, followed by Meyer's goal at 4:26, extending the lead to 21-9. Despite Pollutro scoring for Daemen, Mercy maintained its edge with solid draw control by Callow.

As the quarter wound down, Medina scored with 13 seconds remaining, assisted by Meyer, securing Mercy's commanding lead. The game concluded with Mercy earning the 22-9 win.

Mercy was led by Grzelaczyk who had a game-high five goals and by Taddeo who added four goals. Kelly recorded two goals, three assists and two caused turnovers and Franco contributed three goals and an assist. Meyer added three goals and three assists and Wallace recorded two goals and an assist. Wallace recorded her 100th career point and now has 102 for her career. Medina scored her first two collegiate goals and Mott added a goal. Callow had a game-high and career-high 13 draw controls. Senior Emily Marino (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon) added three ground balls and a caused turnover. Senior Olivia LaMonica (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) made five saves in 48 minutes of action to earn the win. LaMonica recorded her 300th career save, becoming the second goalie in program history to record 300 saves. Freshman Emma Batter (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) made one save in the final 12 minutes.

Daemen was led by Avery Castner who had a team-high four goals. Mia Caryl made four saves in three quarters of action to take the loss.

Mercy held a 34-21 edge in shots, a 13-12 edge in ground balls and a 20-11 edge in draw controls.

Head Coach Dawn Sachs and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, April 15th when they play at Adelphi at 7 p.m.