PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – In a game that had just about everything, Pace University Field Hockey came out on top in thrilling fashion on Wednesday afternoon, earning a 4-3 double-overtime triumph over Mercy College at Finnerty Field. Behind a relentless offensive attack and a late goal from Romy Manditsera, the Setters picked up their first win of the season and opened Northeast-10 Conference play, improving to 1-4 overall.

From the opening whistle, Pace dictated the tempo, creating chance after chance in the Mercy circle. The Setters racked up seven shots and four penalty corners in the opening quarter but couldn't find the back of the cage against Mercy's goalkeeper, who was tested early and often.

The breakthrough finally came midway through the second quarter. On Pace's ninth corner of the half, Feline Rook buried her first goal of her career in the 26th minute, finishing off a crisp insert from Kyleigh Kearney. The lead was short-lived, however, as the Mavericks answered less than a minute later to level the score at 1-1 heading into halftime. Despite the deadlock, the Blue and Gold held a commanding 15-1 advantage in shots through the first 30 minutes.

Mercy seized its first lead of the day just after the break, converting in the 41st minute to go up 2-1. The Setters continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off early in the fourth quarter. Freshman midfielder Olivia Martinez produced her first collegiate tally in the 47th minute, finishing a feed from Carlotta Oschmann to tie the contest at 2-2.

Once again, Mercy responded quickly with another go-ahead goal less than two minutes later, regaining the edge at 3-2. Still, the Setters refused to be denied. With just 3:04 left in regulation, Kearney scored her first goal of the season to bring the game level once more at 3-3. Her equalizer capped a dominant quarter in which Pace outshot the Mavericks 10-1 and forced five saves.

The first overtime period was defined by Pace's continued offensive surge. The Setters tallied six shots and earned three corners in the 10-minute session, but Mercy's goalkeeper stood tall to keep the game alive.

In the second extra session, the Setters finally delivered the deciding blow. After sustained pressure and multiple corners, it was Manditsera who provided the golden moment. In the 74th minute, she knocked home a feed from Rook, sending her teammates streaming onto the field to celebrate the 4-3 victory.
The Setters dominated the stat sheet, holding a 47-6 advantage in total shots and a 26-2 edge in penalty corners.

Rook was a force all afternoon, leading the attack with 15 shots (seven on target) to go along with a goal and an assist. Kearney turned in her strongest performance of the year, tallying a goal, an assist, and 10 total shots.

The Setters will look to build on the dramatic win when they return to action on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. for a road meeting against the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, Saint Anselm College.