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University of Rochester Athletics

UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER YELLOWJACKETS
Nikki Mercer
Rochester Athletics
Mercer's two goals lifted the Yellowjackets to their fourth straight win.
3
Winner Rochester ROC (8-2, 2-0 LL)
2
Skidmore SKIDMORE (7-3, 1-1 LL)
Winner
Rochester ROC
(8-2, 2-0 LL)
3
Final
2
Skidmore SKIDMORE
(7-3, 1-1 LL)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Rochester ROC 1 0 1 1 3
Skidmore SKIDMORE 1 0 1 0 2

Game Recap: Field Hockey | | Scott Sabocheck, Director of Athletic Communications

Rochester Upends Skidmore on the Road, 3-2

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – A late game goal by senior Nikki Mercer lifted the University of Rochester field hockey team to its fourth straight win, defeating host Skidmore College 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Wagner Park.
 
Mercer finished with two goals on the day, while Mara Heppard also scored for the Yellowjackets (8-2, 2-0 Liberty League). Skidmore (7-3, 1-1 Liberty League) got both its goals from Carrie Hughes in the loss.
 
Rochester, with its 2-0 record in conference play is one of two teams in the Liberty League still without a conference loss. Ithaca is the other at 2-0 through the opening two games.
 
The game was close throughout, with each team answering a go-ahead goal by the other quickly.
 
Skidmore took the early lead with a penalty stroke goal by Hughes in the games third minute.
 
Less than 60 seconds later, Mercer was able to respond for Rochester, notching her seventh goal of the season of an assist from Maeve Fogarty.
 
At intermission, Rochester and Skidmore both had seven shots and were tied 1-1 on the scoreboard.
 
A few minutes into the second half, Rochester got a big defensive save by Lesley Leatherman, keeping the game tied at one. She denied Hughes her second goal off the game following a penalty corner in the 35th minute.
 
Towards the end of the third quarter, Rochester's Heppard pulled the visitors ahead with a rebound goal off an Anya Arseneau penalty corner shot.
 
It was Skidmore responding quickly this time, as the Thoroughbreds again earned a penalty stroke less than 90 seconds later. Hughes deposited the ball into the cage and the game was again tied, heading into the fourth.
 
Throughout the entirety of the fourth quarter, just two shots were taken, both by the Yellowjackets, with Mercer's game-winner coming with just over five minutes left in the game.
 
Arseneau set up the Mercer's winning goal by dribbling along the right side of the goal and dumping a pass in front to Mercer who deflected in the cross at the left post.
 
For the game, Rochester held a 14-9 shot advantage and earned eight corners to Skidmore's three. Helen Schmitter earned the win in goal for Rochester, making three saves. Victoria Bodnar made eight saves in Skidmore's cage.
 
Rochester looks to continue its winning streak on Tuesday afternoon when the Yellowjackets host SUNY Brockport at Fauver Stadium starting at 4 pm. UR's next conference game is next Saturday at home against St. Lawrence.