Mercer Falls At Vanderbilt, 14-11

Thursday, February 12

Nashville, Tenn.

Noon

Mercer University

0-2

Vanderbilt

1-1

MERCER

Vanderbilt

2/12/2026 7:06:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

Ansley Walters led Mercer offensively with three goals

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - For the second straight game, the Mercer women's lacrosse team nearly made an improbable comeback but ultimately couldn't overcome a 7-goal deficit as the Bears fell on the road to Vanderbilt, 14-11 Thursday afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ansley Walters and Caroline Glus led Mercer offensively with three goals each. Despite the 14 goals allowed, Mackenzie Ward played well in goal for the Bears with a career high nine saves.

Vanderbilt had a slight advantage in shots with 29 to Mercer's 25. The Commodores had 23 shots on gaol to Mercer's 21. The Commodores took advantage of its free position opportunities scoring on six of its eight shots from the 8-meter. Vanderbilt won the draw control battle, 17-10.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The two teams traded goals through the first four goals of the game as Maya Maldonado and Glus got on the board for the Bears and the score was 2-2 six minutes into the game. Vanderbilt would then score the last three goals of the first quarter and took a 5-2 lead into the second quarter.

Less than two minutes into the second quarter, Maldonado scored her second goal of the game off a nice feed from Abbi Rupnow to make the score 5-3, Vanderbilt. However, the Commodores held the Bears off the scoresheet for the remainder of the quarter and added two man-up goals to take a 7-3 lead into halftime.

Vanderbilt added to its lead over the first seven minutes of the third quarter. The Commordores scored three goals to extend its lead to 10-3. Glus and Walters would then score less than one minute apart to make it a 10-5 game. Over the final three minutes of the quarter, Vanderbilt scored twice and in between the Commodores' two goals, Reaghan Lomascola scored her second goal of the season off a pass from Maldonado. After the third quarter, Vanderbilt led, 12-6.

Vanderbilt's Nancy Halleron scored her fourth goal of the game less than one minute into the fourth quarter to open up the scoring in the final frame. The Bears got goals from Walters and Abby Vane to make it a 13-8 game. Vanderbilt scored its 14th goal of the game with 7:30 to play. Mercer would score three times over the final eight minutes of the game, but would ultimately end up three goals short in a 14-11 loss.

NOTABLES

Mercer outscored Vanderbilt, 5-2 in the fourth quarter.
Caroline Glus scored a hat trick for the second straight game.
Maya Maldonado had a career high four points (2G, 2A).
Vanderbilt had 15 turnovers to 14 for the Bears.
Mackenzie Ward had a career high nine saves.
Abbi Rupnow led Mercer with two caused turnovers.

UP NEXT
Mercer will have more than one week off before traveling to Tampa, Florida to play USF on Feb. 21. The game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start.

FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of Mercer Women's Lacrosse, please follow the Bears on social media at @MercerWLAX (Twitter) and @Mercerwlax (Instagram) or visit the official home of Mercer Athletics at MercerBears.com.