DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Kendra Nolan (Oak Ridge, N.J./Jefferson Township) scored a team-high three goals and Mackenzie Reh (Medford, N.Y./Patchogue Medford) led the offense with five points, but the No. 20 University of New Haven women's lacrosse team dropped a 12-8 decision to No. 10 Mercy in the season opener.
Mercy got on the board first, just under five minutes into the game, converting on a free position attempt. A minute later Reh would even the score with her first goal of the season. After the Mavericks netted three unanswered goals, Nolan helped the Chargers pull within two, collecting a diagonal pass from Reh to find the back of the net. Mercy would add to their lead a minute later. Grace Loeffler (Boca Raton, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) scored her first career goal with just under eight minutes left of the first half. The Mavericks went on a 3-0 run to close out the first half.
Coming out of halftime, the Chargers capitalized on a man-up opportunity as Caroline Maher (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) scored her first goal of the season. The Mavericks would quickly respond to maintain a five-goal lead. Nolan found the back of the net, collecting the pass from Reh for her second goal of the game. Loeffler connected with Samantha Galler (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield), who scored her first goal of the season, two minutes later to help the Chargers pull within three. Mercy responded right away with another goal to regain a four-goal lead.
Nolan notched her third goal of the afternoon, again getting the Chargers within three, but the Mavericks would not let the Blue and Gold get any closer, responding with another goal. With just about 15 minutes left, Reh scored her second goal of the day on a free position attempt, once again pulling the Chargers within three. Mercy would add another goal to put the game away with eight minutes left.
Junior goalkeeper Gianna Guerra (Stony Point, N.Y./North Rockland) made 18 saves between the pipes. Guerra and Reh both picked up a team-high four ground balls. Alyssa Bourque (Goffstown, N.H./Goffstown) and Reh each had two caused turnovers while Raven Linton (Lawrenceville, N.J./Notre Dame), Zoe Wilkins (Plainfield, N.J./Mount Saint Mary Academy) and Mikayla Bowerfind (Cumberland, R.I./Cumberland) each added one apiece. The Chargers and Mavericks were tied in draw controls on the afternoon, as Linton collected a game high seven. The Blue and Gold had a total of 22 shots with 17 of them on target.
New Haven is on the road again next week, traveling to Rockville Centre, N.Y. to take on Molloy on Tuesday, March 5. Opening draw is slated for 4:30 pm at John A. Darcey Field.
