LAKEWOOD, NJ (Feb. 17, 2026) - In the 2026 season opener, the Lions, despite a strong third quarter, fell 13-9 to the Mercy Mavericks. 

How it Happened
• Mercy had more opportunities on net, having 37 shots compared to the Lions 16.
• GCU turned the ball over 18 times while forcing just 11.
• Georgian Court also had the edge on the ground, 20-15.
• GCU converted just 1-4 on free position shots; Mercy was 0-7. 
• Mercy won 16 draw controls compared to the Lions eight. 
1st Quarter
• The Mavericks struck first Ashlinn Kelly put Mercy on the board about two minutes into the game. 
• Two minutes later, GCU's Michaela Scirrotto had the Lions first goal of the 2026 season. 
• Mercy would score two more goals in the 1st quarter to put them up 3-1 going into quarter two. 
2nd Quarter
• The Mavericks would answer again Ashlinn Kelly just a minute into the quarter had her second goal. 
• Caitlin Petrellese had her first goal of her senior season to cut the deficit to two goals. 
•  Mercy would end the half with two more goals, and the Lions would trail by four. 
3rd Quarter
• Mercy's Kayden Meyer would have the first goal of the half to give them a 7-2 lead. 
• Lions would answer with four straight goals Michaela Scirrotto had two, Nena Menard and Caitlin Petrellese each had one. 
• Mercy would turn to Ashlinn Kelly again to give the Mavericks some comfort going into the last 15. They led by two. 
4th Quarter
• Mercy continued the momentum, beginning in the last quarter, they added two more. 
• Michaela Scirrotto had her fourth of the game with about 13 minutes remaining. 
• Three straight goals from Mercy would give them a 13-7 lead, their largest lead of the game.
 • Nena Menard and Caitilin Petrellesse would have the last two goals of the game, which gave the Lions a 13-9 loss. 

Lion Stat Leaders
• Michaela Scirrotto had four goals 
• Caitlin Petrellese scored three times, grabbed five ground balls, and won two draw controls. 
• Nena Menard had two goals, one assist, four ground balls, and three caused turnovers. 
• Jill Konschak and Gabrielle Battle each scored a goal. 
• Candence Gentile had a career high 19 saves; she was one save away from breaking the single-game save record for GCU. 

For the Mavericks
• Ashlinn Kelly had four goals, five draw controls, and three caused turnovers. 
• Andrea Mott and Angela Taddeo each had three goals. 
• Kayden Meyer had two goals and four draw controls. 

Up Next
• Georgian Court returns home this Saturday at 2 pm to face Shippensburg.