Mercy College Women’s Soccer team looks to make Mercy College history by making it past the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament.

Led by Head Coach Jonathan Feinstein, the lady Mavericks are currently at a 14-3 overall and 7-1 in ECC play. The Mavericks recently made the NCAA Top 25 list posting at number 23 overall.

The NCAA tournament is made up of 64 teams with six teams advancing from each region to make up the tournament play. Six teams from the ECC, CACC, and Northeast-10 conference combined make up the East Region, with conference tournament winners receiving an automatic bid.

Before the Mavericks enter the NCAA Tournament, they have to take on the East Coast Conference tournament. In past years, the Mavericks have won the conference tournament once (2014). Last year the Mavericks fell to LIU Post in the semi final matchup.

This year they hope to redeem themselves from last year.

Senior defender, Alyssa Iannuzzi, is hopeful and confident in her team’s chances this year.

“I think we have a good shot, if we continue to work hard like we have been,” Iannuzzi stated, “We will have a great chance to win the ECC Tournament.”

Team chemistry plays an important role in any team’s success. Iannuzzi agrees that it has played a big role for her team’s success.

“Our team chemistry is great this year, not just on the field, but off the field, too. We all get along really well and enjoy playing with each other.”

Iannuzzi stated that in comparison to past years, she feels that the chemistry on this 2017 team is better.

“You can tell that the energy and sense of team is stronger this year than past years. We all want to win it for each other and for the seniors,” said Iannuzzi.

Though, with success, there also comes obstacles. 

“I think the toughest challenge will be physically staying strong through the postseason as well as staying mentally focused for each and every game,” she added.

Leading the team with 15 goals on the year, 3 assists and 33 points overall, sophomore forward, Ally Boots will be the target for the Mavericks.

Boots, like Iannuzzi, is confident with her team and their chances in both the ECC Tournament and NCAA Tournament.

“I think we have a really good chance of winning ECC’s and going far in the NCAA Tournament,” said Boots.

“We have a very strong team that knows how to work together. We just need to play the way we know how to play and keep piecing everything together to remain successful.”

The Mavericks defeated Molloy Lions when senior Serna scored a game-winning goal in the 50th minute.

This was the Mavericks tenth shutout victory of the season, advancing them to the ECC Championship Game for the first time since 2014, where they will play No. 1 seed LIU Post Pioneers.

The last time the Macs played the Pioneers, they were defeated. But, this time they’re ready to get back out there on the field, and take the win home. 

The game is at LIU Post,  Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m.