SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College field hockey team fell 4-2 to Mercy University on Saturday, September 20 in AIC's Northeast 10 Conference opener.
AIC is now 1-5 overall and 0-1 in the NE10.
The Mavericks jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Jessica Evans took a pass from Charlotte Sabert and drove it home at 6:38 of the first quarter.
That score stood through halftime, but AIC was able to quickly tie the game in the third. After the Mavericks lost the ball out of bounds near the AIC bench,
Maddie Darling fired a pass up the left wing to
Mia Wood. She drove into the circle and passed back to the netfront, where
Milagros Zanatelli was there to receive the ball and spin it past the goalkeeper at 3:56 for her team-leading third of the season.
In the fourth, the Mavericks regained the edge with two quick goals. Gwendolyn Smith deflected a shot on a corner by Kate Lynne Conklin at 4:59, and then Smith found Evans alone in front for her second of the game at 6:20, quickly giving the visitors a 3-1 lead.
AIC was not done, and Wood once again made things happen. The senior took an entry feed on the right side of the circle and drove along the goal line before laying up a pass for
Chloe Moss to dunk in for her second of the season at 11:29.
Mercy responded on the very next opportunity, on a goal that was credited to Sabert at 12:01 for the 4-2 final.
Frederique den Hartog made eight saves in the setback.
AIC heads to Saint Thomas Aquinas College on Wednesday, September 24 for its next matchup. The NE10 contest starts at 4:00 p.m.
