SPARKILL, N.Y. (Oct. 8, 2016) - Sophomore Katlyn Merino (Corona, N.Y.) scored in the first 120 seconds to set the tone as the Molloy College women's soccer team ran roughshod over Saint Thomas Aquinas on Saturday (Oct. 8) in Sparkill. With a 4-0 win, the Lions improve to 5-5-1 on the season overall with a 3-1 record in East Coast Conference competition. STAC falls to 3-10 overall and 0-5 in ECC play with the loss.

The Lions assaulted the net from the get-go, as the first shot of the affair came just 22 seconds into the first half from Allie Rainey (Smithtown, N.Y.). Merino took her first attempt 84 seconds in, but her shot was saved by Spartans keeper Courtney Dumain (Monroe, N.Y.). Thirty seconds later, Merino chipped one over the head of Dumain and into the back of the net to give Molloy a quick 1-0 lead. The lead stayed for much of the first half, yet the maroon and white were constantly buzzing, as evidenced by a 16-5 shots advantage. In the 45th minute and just before the halftime break, the Lions added an insurance marker. Merino was on the receiving end of a cool touch pass from Sam Bernieri (Massapequa, N.Y.), and the sophomore flicked a shot into the top corner of the net from the top of the 18-yard box to put Molloy further in front.

The second half continued to be all about the maroon and white with senior Courtney Noakes (Levittown, N.Y.) getting involved in the action. Noakes was the recipient of an assist by Merino, but the Levittown native crafted a masterful effort from 22 yards out to beat Dumain and grab another goal for the Lions. The 3-0 lead became 4-0 in the 63rd minute on a well-executed dribble and placement by senior forward Danielle Valente (South Setauket, N.Y.). With the heavy advantage and the lead, Molloy cruised as STAC was unable to get a shot on net in the final 27 minutes of play.

The final numbers indicated a one-sided demonstration of the prowess of the maroon and white. A 27-7 shots advantage favored Molloy with the Lions getting 17 shots on goal to one for the Spartans. Merino led the way with seven total shots while Valente had six and a team-high five shots on goal. Senior Jessica Malone (Long Beach, N.Y.) had five shots and four on target as well. Senior Gabrielle Batista (Hicksville, N.Y.) picked up her first win in net for the Lions, making one save in just under 75 minutes of playing time. Freshman Tara Rosen (Little Neck, N.Y.) played out the final quarter-hour in defense of the net facing nary a shot from the opposition.

Molloy will now trek out-of-conference for a Columbus Day evening showdown with Bloomfield College in New Jersey on Monday (Oct. 10) beginning at 7 p.m.