NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – After a 3-1, win on Sunday afternoon head coach Gabe Mejail earned his 500th career win. Mejail has been on the Warrior side line for the last 39 seasons. He becomes the ninth coach in NCAA history to earn the 500 win milestone. Mejail has led the Warriors to eight Northeast-10 Conference regular season championships, six NE10 Tournament titles, two ECAC titles and 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament – including an appearance in the Elite Eight in 1996.
Freshman Caleigh Christensen got the Merrimack scoring going in the first half. The goal was the first of her Merrimack career and was assisted by Holly Moore. Vermont added a goal right before the end of the first half, to tie the game. Molly Murnane added her first goal of the season in the 55th minute, after stealing the ball from the Catamount goalkeeper. Ella Cormier scored a much-needed insurance goal in the 71st minute to give the Warriors a two-goal lead and victory.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 3 Vermont 1
Records: Merrimack (1-1-0) | Vermont (1-1-0)
Location: North Andover, Mass.
Rapid Recap
- Within the first minute Hallie Shiers launched a ball that missed left. Warrior goalkeeper Lily Morgan made her first save in the sixth minute after a ball up the middle. Cormier, had back-to back shots for Merrimack, both missed right. In the 30th minute, Christensen broke through the lane and scored the first goal of her Warrior career, to give Merrimack a one-goal advantage. A minute later, Morgan jumped and made a save, preserving the one gaol lead. Right before the end of the half, Sydney Remington scored to tie the game and give Vermont some momentum heading into half time.
- Murnane broke through for her first goal of the season in the 55th minute. The goal was unassisted after she stole the ball away from the Catamount goalkeeper. Four minutes later, Shiers ripped another shot that went high, her second of the game. Morgan made her first save of the second half on on shot from just outside the box. In the 71st minute Cormier snuck one by the the Vermont goalkeeper for her first of the season, giving the Warriors a two-goal lead. Morgan made another jumping save to preserve the lead again for Merrimack. The final buzzer sounded and Mejail earned his 500th win.
Top Performers // Notes
- Cormier led the team in shots with four, including one on goal.
- Moore earned the first assist of her Merrimack career.
- Morgan had seven saves in the victory.
Up Next
The Warriors head back on the road to take on the University of Maine on Thursday. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
