DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Pace University Field Hockey opened the 2026 season in emphatic fashion Thursday afternoon, rolling past Mercy University, 7-0, at Mercy Field. The Setters struck four times in the opening quarter and never looked back while controlling play throughout the afternoon.
Stella Musso needed just 3:33 to put the Blue and Gold on the board before Abby Spaulding doubled the advantage three minutes later; both securing their first collegiate goals. Feline Rook added her first goal at 13:13, and Grace Francis struck just 32 seconds later to send Pace into the second quarter with a commanding 4-0 lead.
After a scoreless second period, the Setters delivered another three-goal burst in the third. Spaulding collected her second of the afternoon at 35:36, Francis followed with her second at 37:10 and Olivia Martinez capped the scoring just 20 seconds later.
Pace's offensive pressure was relentless, finishing with a 49-6 advantage in shots and putting 38 attempts on goal. The Setters also generated 16 penalty corners while holding Mercy without a shot in both the first and third quarters.
Spaulding and Francis each finished with two goals, while Rook produced a game-high nine shots on goal. Musso and Martinez each added a goal as five different Setters found the cage. Tara Dusée made three saves across the first 45 minutes before Caitlyn Zabko stopped two shots in the fourth to complete the combined shutout.
The Blue and Gold continue their season-opening road swing Sunday, Sept. 6, with a 12:00 p.m. match-up against St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y.
