Warriors Contend with UNH, Mahanna Opens Season with Hat Trick

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Merrimack women's lacrosse team began their 2022 campaign with a home match-up against the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, but despite a well-rounded effort on both offensive and defensive ends of the turf, the Warriors were edged out by the visiting team 10-7.
 
The Basics:
Score: UNH 10, Merrimack 7
Records: Merrimack (0-1, 0-0 NEC), UNH (1-2, 0-0 AE)
 
Word from Coach Fox Sargent:
"We were very impressed with our defensive unit today. We thought they really stepped up and kept us in the game along with our goalie, Hayley Kowalczyk in her first ever college game. We realize we still have things to work on with our attacking unit, but we think this is a great starting point and are excited to get to work for Iona this coming weekend."
 
How it happened:
1^st Quarter:

• Catherine Mahanna got the Warriors on the board first, scoring within the first three minutes of the contest
• The defense went to work, holding off the Wildcats for the entire first quarter
• Kowalczyk had some massive stops, which culminated to a shutout in her first quarter of collegiate play
• Score at the end of the 1^st: 1-0 Merrimack

2^nd Quarter:

• The offensive came out for the second ready to add to the tally that Mahanna began. The trio of Meghan Dzialo, Mahanna, and Olivia Valdes each found the back of the net within the first five minutes of the quarter.
• UNH responded to the offensive threat, scoring two quick goals, but Sophie Scearbo snuck one by the New Hampshire goalie to bring the Warriors to a two-goal advantage.
• The Wildcats would add one more before the end of the half.
• Score at half: 5-4 Merrimack

3^rd Quarter:

• Just like her previous two goals of the game, Mahanna grabbed a third in the first minute back from the break.
• UNH repeated the offensive push they achieved in the second quarter, by adding another three in this quarter.

Score at end of the 3^rd: 7-6 UNH
4^th Quarter:

• Each team notched another goal in the beginning third of the final quarter (Merrimack goal scored by Taylor Darrell)
• UNH would run away with another two, to bring the game to a final of 10-7.

Final Score: 10-7 UNH
 
Notes and Numbers:

• Catherine Mahanna was the leading scorer for the Warriors with a hat trick
• Meghan Dzialo, Olivia Valdes, Sophie Scearbo, and Taylor Darrell all collected their first goals of the season
• Hayley Kowalczyk had 11 saves and 5 groundballs in her collegiate debut
• Kelly Corrigan also had a strong game defensively, bringing in three groundballs

 
Up Next:
Up next, the Warriors will travel to New Rochelle, New York to take on Iona College. Iona is 2-1 so far this season, with both of their wins coming against NEC teams. Game time is set for 1:00 pm on Feb. 26 at Mazzella Field.