PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Lisa Heffernan delivered the biggest moment of the afternoon for Pace University Women's Lacrosse, scoring the game-winning goal with 36 seconds remaining to lift the Setters past Mercy University, 13-12, in NCAA Tournament action. Pace improved to 15-5 overall on Saturday and advanced behind a strong effort on the draw and Heffernan's four-goal performance, holding off a late Mercy rally to continue its postseason run into the quarterfinals
Pace came out sharp in the opening quarter, building early momentum on both ends of the field. Mackenzie Carita opened the scoring before Marissa Doty added back-to-back goals to help the Blue and Gold jump ahead. After Mercy trimmed the margin, Heffernan found the back of the net for the first time, and Doty added another goal in the final minute of the period to give the Setters a 5-2 lead after one.
The second quarter turned into a tighter defensive stretch, with Mercy slowing the pace and cutting into the deficit. Doty answered with a free-position goal midway through the frame, helping Pace carry a 6-4 advantage into halftime.
Pace opened the second half with another push. Annie Sheehan scored on a free-position attempt before Heffernan finished off a feed from Sheehan to stretch the lead to 8-5. Mercy responded with a run to tie the game at 9-9, but Sheehan answered late in the quarter off an assist from Carita, putting the Setters back in front, 10-9, heading into the fourth.
The Blue and Gold struck quickly in the final period, as Heffernan scored off another Carita assist before Carita finished a feed from Sheehan to push the lead to 12-9. Mercy battled back again, scoring three straight goals to even the game at 12-12 with 3:15 remaining and setting up a dramatic finish.
With the game tied in the closing minute, Maddie Schubert found Heffernan in front, and Heffernan buried her fourth goal of the day to put Pace ahead for good, 13-12. Sasha Kulo secured the ensuing draw control, allowing the Setters to control possession and close out the win.
Heffernan and Doty each scored four goals to lead the offense, while Sheehan added three goals and two assists. Carita finished with five points on two goals and three assists, and Doty added two assists to finish with a team-high six points.
Pace totaled 41 shots, including 25 on goal, while holding a 14-13 edge in draw controls. Kulo once again played a major role in possession, finishing with 11 draws.
Camryn Smith made eight saves in goal, while Sarah Scheidel and Colleen Gilligan each collected four ground balls as Pace finished with a 21-13 advantage in ground balls.
The Setters advance to face Adelphi University in an NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals rematch on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Garden City, N.Y.
