DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by a game-high five goals and seven draw controls from junior Riley Wallace (Islip, N.Y./Islip), the No. 1 seeded Mercy University Women's Lacrosse Team earned a convincing 21-1 win over No. 2 seeded Roberts Wesleyan University in the ECC Women's Lacrosse Championship Final on Saturday afternoon at Mercy Field, securing their fourth ECC Championship in program history.
The Mavericks (15-3) win their first ECC Championship since 2023 and improve to 3-2 all-time against the Redhawks (7-9) in the Final. The 20-goal margin of victory is the largest in ECC Women's Lacrosse Championship Final history and the one goal allowed is the fewest in Finals history. Mercy earns the ECC's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament and will be making their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history and first since 2022. The selection show will be held tomorrow, Sunday, May 3rd at 8:30 p.m. Eastern and can be watched at NCAA.com. Wallace was named the Championship's Most Outstanding Player after recording a game-high five goals and seven draw controls in the Final and four goals in the Semifinal win over D'Youville on Wednesday.
Mercy began the game with strong control, as sophomore Kayden Meyer (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd) secured the initial draw. The Mavericks capitalized early with freshman Jessica Grzelaczyk (Seaford, N.Y./Seaford) scoring the first goal at 12:30, assisted by senior Andrea Mott (Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place). Grzelaczyk quickly added another goal, extending the lead to 2-0 at 12:09.
Continuing their offensive momentum, Mercy saw sophomore Ashlinn Kelly (Farmingdale, N.Y./Farmingdale) increase the lead to 3-0, with freshman Ava Franco (Coram, N.Y./Longwood) providing the assist. The Mavericks maintained pressure with a woman-up goal by Wallace, assisted by Meyer, giving Mercy a 4-0 lead at 10:08. Mercy's defense also played a crucial role, with turnovers forced by sophomore Leanna Kwarta (Lindenhurst, N.Y./Lindenhurst) and senior Emily Marino (West Babylon, N.Y./West Babylon).
As the quarter progressed, Mercy's scoring was relentless, with sophomore Angela Taddeo (Babylon, N.Y./Stony Brook University), Franco, and junior Juliana Talenti (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage) each finding the net, supported by assists from Kelly and Mott, making it 7-0 at 2:45. Despite a late goal by the Redhawks' Hannah Sparks, Mercy closed the first quarter with a dominant 8-1 lead after a Meyer goal.
Mercy opened the second quarter with a strong offensive push, as Meyer scored early to start a scoring run. Wallace secured the draw control, setting up Franco to find the net with an assist from Mott shortly thereafter, making it 10-1. Taddeo and Wallace each added to the tally with goals, further extending the lead to 12-1 at 9:30.
Despite a turnover, Mercy continued to dominate possession, with Kelly converting a free position shot. The Mavericks capitalized on woman-up and woman-down situations, with goals from Meyer and Franco, respectively, giving Mercy a 15-1 lead at 2:21. Mercy's defense remained steadfast, highlighted by senior Olivia LaMonica's (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) saves and successful draws. The quarter concluded with Mercy firmly in command, leading 15-1.
Mercy capitalized on an early turnover by the Redhawks as senior Rita-Marie Masi's (Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot) defensive play led to a ground ball recovery that set the stage for a woman-up goal by Wallace at 13:04. Senior Maeghan Callow (Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) secured the following draw control, maintaining the momentum for Mercy.
Despite turnovers on both sides, Mercy continued to press forward. Wallace added another goal, this time from a free position shot at 5:09, extending the lead to 17-1. Freshman Emma Batter's (Port Jefferson, N.Y./Port Jefferson) key save later in the quarter denied the Redhawks a scoring opportunity, and Wallace recorded her fifth goal with a goal assisted by Mott at 2:20. Mercy headed to the fourth quarter up, 18-1.
The fourth quarter began with Mercy extending its lead when Meyer scored just 36 seconds into the quarter. This early goal set the tone for Mercy, which continued its offensive pressure throughout the quarter.
Grzelaczyk added another goal for Mercy at the 10:49 mark, capitalizing on a turnover forced by Taddeo. The Mavericks maintained control with efficient clears and draws, including a key draw control by Wallace.
Mercy remained dominant as graduate student Kate McNally (Hillburn, N.Y./SUNY Oswego) netted a woman-up goal with an assist from sophomore Kiera Medina (Greenlawn, N.Y./Harborfields) with 5:05 remaining. Franco secured the subsequent draw control, helping to maintain possession. Mercy cruised the rest of the way, earning the 21-1 win to secure their fourth ECC Championship in program history.
Mercy was led by Wallace who had a game-high five goals and seven draw controls with a game-high three caused turnovers. Meyer added a game-high-tying five points on four goals and an assist and Franco recorded three goals, an assist and five draw controls. Mott dished out a game-high four assists and Kelly netted two goals and two assists. Grzelaczyk recorded three goals and Taddeo contributed two goals. Talenti and McNally each added a goal and Callow had an assist and four draw controls. Medina dished out an assist and Masi added a game-high-tying three caused turnovers with a game-high five ground balls. Kwarta and freshman Keira Laibach (Massapequa, N.Y./St. Dominic) both added two caused turnovers. LaMonica made five saves in the first 38:33 minutes of action to earn the win. Batter made two saves in 10:52 minutes, sophomore Liz Byrne played 4:28 minutes in goal with out facing a shot and junior Olivia Bradley played the final 6:07 in goal without facing shot.
Roberts Wesleyan was led by Hannah Sparks who scored a goal and by Ella Dossier who had an assist. Josella Harrison made five saves to take the loss.
Mercy held a 38-9 edge in shots, an 18-12 edge in ground balls and an 18-6 edge in draw controls.
