BUFFALO, N.Y. — D'Youville rallied for a 2-1 victory over Mercy on Saturday at Dobson Field, earning its first win over the Mavericks in program history and opening its first season of East Coast Conference competition with a victory.
The Saints trailed 1-0 entering the fourth quarter before Jimena Loustalot scored twice in the final six minutes, including the game-winning goal on a penalty stroke with 1:05 remaining. D'Youville finished with an 11-9 advantage in shots.
Loustalot tied the game at 1-1 at 54:00, finishing a pass from Chloe Burkhard after D'Youville earned three penalty corners in the quarter. Less than five minutes later, Loustalot converted a penalty stroke at 58:55 to give the Saints their first lead of the afternoon.
Loustalot finished with two goals on six shots, putting five attempts on goal. Burkhard added an assist, while Hallie Villavechia made five saves while playing all 60 minutes in goal. Caroline Pitarra also recorded a defensive save.
D'Youville controlled much of the opening half but was unable to break through. The Saints earned three penalty corners in the first quarter and four more in the second, with Carter Bower and Loustalot each putting shots toward the Mercy goal. Villavechia made three saves through the first half to keep the Mavericks off the scoreboard.
Mercy broke the scoreless tie at 40:45 in the third quarter. D'Youville responded with pressure late in the frame, earning back-to-back penalty corners and putting a Loustalot shot on goal. Pitarra also made a defensive save following a Mercy penalty corner to keep the deficit at one.
The Saints completed the comeback in the fourth quarter, scoring twice to secure their first victory over Mercy and begin ECC play 1-0.
D'Youville improves to 4-4 overall and 1-0 in ECC play, while Mercy falls to 1-6 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
