DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – In their first match against a nationally ranked opponent this season, the Daemen University women's lacrosse team fell to No. 23 Mercy, 21-6, in East Coast Conference women's lacrosse action Saturday morning at Mercy Field.
 
With the win, the Mavericks improved to 5-4 and 1-0 in ECC play while Daemen dropped to 3-6 and 1-1 in conference action.
 
Leah Hansen led Mercy in scoring with six goals and tied her teammate Kayden Meyer in points with a game-high six. Lindsey Shimborske nammed a game-high eight draw controls while in net, the Mavericks played three goalies with starter Oliva LaMonica getting credit for the win and making a team-high three saves.
 
Sophomore attacker Cadence Baran (Lancaster, N.Y.) led Daemen in scoring with two goals and three total points while junior attacker Avery Castner (Penn Yan, N.Y.) tallied two assists. Junior defender Maddy Carpenter (Hilton, N.Y.) caused a team-high two turnovers while senior midfielder Katelynn Deveans (Clinton, N.Y.) tallied four draw controls. In net, freshman midfielder turned goalie Marianna Szamoskozi (Port Coquitilam, British Columbia) made a season-high 12 saves.
 
Down 6-0 after the first quarter, Daemen got on the board to begin the second frame as junior attacker Ella Bouley (Auburn, N.Y.) tucked a ball into the back of the net off an assist from sophomore attacker Shannen Calandra (Rome, N.Y.) on the man-up situation. Mercy scored unanswered seven goals to end the half and enter the locker room with a 13-1 edge.
 
Daemen and Mercy traded scores in the third quarter with the 'Cats able to build some momentum entering the final stanza as they scored two of the final three goals of the quarter courtesy of Baran and sophomore attacker Maria Salvo (Clarence, N.Y.). Mercy outscored Daemen, 4-2, in the final frame to seal the win.
 
Mercy ended the contest with a 36-14 advantage in shots and 8-6 edge in assists. The two sides did end the afternoon tied in draw controls with each side totaling 14. 

GAME NOTES
• Today marked the third meeting between the two sides with Mercy having won all three meetings.
• Szamaskozi's 12 saves are the most by any Daemen goalie this season
• Today marked the seventh game against a ranked team in program history.
• Baran scored two-or-more goals for the second consecutive game and third time this spring.
 
UP NEXT
Daemen continues ECC play with a trip to our nations capital to face the University of the District of Columbia. Opening draw is set for noon on April 5.  Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.
 
Follow the Daemen women's program on Twitter and Instagram at @DaemenWLAX.