ERIE, Pa. -- Marymount flag football played four ECAC match ups on Wednesday at Mercyhurst Univeristy, picking up a trio of wins and falling in a tight match up against the host school.

The Saints move their overall record to 4-2 on the season, now sit 3-1 in the ECAC.

MARYMOUNT 20 - MERCYHURST 14

NOTABLE

Jesenia Velez
- 114 rushing yards  
- 2 rushing touchdowns  
- 69 passing yards  
- 1 passing touchdown  

Kaylah Barr
- 13 receiving yards  
- 1 receiving touchdown  
- 3 total flag pulls  

Cara Vollmer 
- 82 passing yards  
- 5 completions  

Marymount began the game with possession, quickly advancing from its 14-yard line thanks to a 7-yard rush by Velez. Velez continued to drive the team forward, contributing to a series of effective plays that culminated in Marymount maintaining control and pushing deep into Mercyhurst territory. Although Mercyhurst briefly took over after an incomplete pass, the Saints' defense held strong, with Barr and Velez combining for a critical flag pull that resulted in a significant loss for Mercyhurst. The first quarter concluded with Marymount leading 7-0.

In the second quarter, Marymount faced a challenging series of events but maintained their composure. After Mercyhurst scored early in the quarter, Marymount took possession and Velez made significant contributions, including a 29-yard reception from Vollmer. However, Marymount's offensive momentum was hindered by penalties and losses on the ground. Despite these setbacks, Marymount's defense held strong, preventing further scoring from Mercyhurst. The quarter concluded with Mercyhurst leading 14-7.

Marymount capitalized on a defensive opportunity early in the third quarter with Barr intercepting a pass from Ellie Schau at the Mercyhurst 25-yard line. Despite starting in favorable field position, the Saints' subsequent drive stalled as they were unable to convert the possession into points, highlighted by an incomplete pass on fourth down. Later in the quarter, Vollmer connected with Dakota Bright-Brubaker for a 6-yard gain, and Velez added a significant 46-yard pass to Samayah Barnes, advancing to the Mercyhurst 10-yard line as time ran out in the quarter. The period concluded with neither team adding to the scoreboard.

Marymount seized momentum early in the fourth quarter when Velez rushed for a 10-yard touchdown at 9:20, narrowing the margin. Despite a failed pass attempt on the subsequent conversion, the Saints continued to press. In the final minutes, Velez connected with Barr for a 13-yard touchdown pass, and Velez successfully converted the rush attempt to extend the lead. Marymount's defense held strong, and the game concluded with Marymount securing a 19-14 victory.

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MARYMOUNT 40 - ALLEGHENY 6

NOTABLE

Brianna Lee
- 1 rushing touchdown  
- 31 rushing yards  

Samayah Barnes 
- 2 total touchdowns  
- 55 rushing yards  
- 40 yards on punt return touchdown  

Kaylah Barr  
- 1 rushing touchdown  
- 3 total flag pulls  
- 19 rushing yards  

Jesenia Velez 
- 1 passing touchdown  
- 69 rushing yards  
- 1 punt return touchdown  

Ryan Clarke 
- 1 receiving touchdown  
- 1 receiving yard  

The Saints began the game with a strong defensive stand, as Kaylah Barr and Morgan Lester combined to flag Azalia Berndt for a loss of five yards. Marymount quickly turned defense into offense with Barr returning a punt for 70 yards, resulting in a touchdown at 9:50. Velez's successful rush attempt extended the Saints' early lead.

Following a defensive stop, Marymount capitalized again with Barr rushing for a 19-yard touchdown, and Cara Vollmer converting the extra-point try with a rush at 2:52. The first quarter concluded with Marymount leading 14-0, showcasing a dominant start.

Barnes sparked the Saints' offense in the second quarter with a 45-yard rush to the Allegheny 15-yard line, setting up her own 10-yard touchdown run at 9:50. This scoring sequence, assisted by a personal foul penalty against Allegheny, gave the Saints a 21-6 advantage. Despite Allegheny's attempts to counter with a drive reaching Marymount's 20-yard line, the Saints' defense held firm to maintain its lead. The quarter concluded with Marymount leading 21-6.

Marymount started the third quarter by advancing the ball with a series of effective rushes, highlighted by a 13-yard run by Brianna Lee. Despite some penalties, the team maintained momentum. A pivotal moment occurred when Barnes returned a punt 40 yards for a touchdown, pushing the Saints' lead further. 

While Marymount's extra-point try failed, it continued to control the game through strong defensive efforts, including flag pulls by Micaiah Pride and Isabella Silvestri. The quarter concluded with Marymount leading Allegheny 34-6.

Velez played a crucial role in Marymount's fourth-quarter drive, completing a 24-yard pass to Alex Veltri to advance the offense to the 38-yard line. Velez continued to drive the Saints forward with a 25-yard rush, setting up a 1-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Clarke at 5:40 on the clock. Despite missing the subsequent pass attempt, Marymount maintained control, closing out the game without further scoring. The final score was Marymount 40, Allegheny 6.

Looking ahead, Marymount will face Mercyhurst University on Wednesday, March 11, at 1:30 p.m. at Saxon Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania. Marymount will be the away team in this matchup.

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MERCYHURST 7 - MARYMOUNT 0

NOTABLE

Leslie Villegas 
- 8 total flag pulls  

Dakota Bright-Brubaker  
- 29 rushing yards  
- 3 total flag pulls  

Victoria Johnson  
- 1 interception  
- 2 interception return yards  

Jesenia Velez  
- 38 rushing yards  
- 29 receiving yards  

The game opened with Mercyhurst starting on its own 14-yard line. Marymount's defense was effective early, with Villegas and Jaylah Thompson making key flag pulls to limit Mercyhurst's progress. 

Marymount took control at the 6:43 mark, starting its drive at the Mercyhurst 32-yard line. However, completion setbacks and a 12-yard loss on a pass play from Cara Vollmer to Velez hindered their advancement. The first quarter concluded with the score tied at 0-0.

Marymount faced challenges in the second quarter as Mercyhurst opened with a touchdown pass from Ellie Schau to Cameryn Mullaly, followed by a successful rush by Schau for the extra point, putting Marymount behind early. Despite this setback, Marymount initiated a drive with Velez gaining five yards and Vollmer following with a six-yard rush to advance the ball. However, further progress was hindered by a series of losses, including a five-yard loss on a rush by Kaylah Barr and a significant setback from a 41-yard loss on a completed pass to Velez. The quarter concluded with Marymount unable to score, ending the half with a 6-0 deficit to Mercyhurst.

The third quarter showcased a series of defensive highlights for the Saints, starting with Velez's 9-yard rush that pushed the team forward, followed by a crucial stop by Velez that resulted in a 9-yard loss for Mercyhurst. Vollmer added to the defensive effort by pulling Madison Nuessle's flag for a 15-yard loss, keeping Mercyhurst from advancing. Despite Marymount's solid defensive performance and several attempts to gain ground offensively, including a 5-yard rush by Bright-Brubaker, the period ended without any scoring from either team. The game remained scoreless at the close of the third quarter.

Johnson made a decisive impact for Marymount by intercepting a pass from Schau at the start of the fourth quarter, returning it 2 yards to regain possession. Despite a subsequent setback with a loss on a rush attempt, Vollmer connected with Barr for a 10-yard gain. However, the drive stalled after a quarterback's flag was pulled for a loss and a penalty, resulting in a turnover on downs. 

Later, a personal foul penalty against Mercyhurst gave the Saints another opportunity. Although Barr managed an 8-yard rush, the drive ultimately concluded with a loss of yards, and the clock expired. Mercyhurst secured a narrow 6-0 victory as the game concluded.

Looking ahead, the Saints will face Allegheny College on Wednesday, March 11, at 2:50 p.m. The game will take place at Saxon Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania, with Marymount playing as the home team.

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MARYMOUNT 64 - ALLEGHENY 0

NOTABLE

Cara Vollmer 
- 3 passing touchdowns  
- 72 passing yards  
- 45 rushing yards  

Jesenia Velez  
- 3 rushing touchdowns  
- 98 rushing yards  
- 2 receiving touchdowns  
- 49 receiving yards  

Kaylah Barr  
- 1 receiving touchdown  
- 1 interception  
- 14 receiving yards  

Stephanie Braun  
- 1 interception  
- 1 interception return touchdown  
- 20 interception return yards  

Naima Thomas  
- 1 interception  
- 1 interception return touchdown  
- 30 interception return yards  

Marymount opened the first quarter with a strong offensive drive, highlighted by Cara Vollmer's 29-yard pass to Jesenia Velez. This set up a series of plays that advanced them deep into Allegheny territory. Despite a setback with a quarterback's flag being pulled for a loss, the Saints capitalized on another opportunity, as Vollmer connected with Kaylah Barr for a 14-yard touchdown at 3:45. Marymount's defense held firm, preventing Allegheny from making significant gains, and the quarter concluded with the Saints leading 12-0.

The Saints opened the second quarter with a swift 16-yard touchdown pass from Cara Vollmer to Jesenia Velez at 11:40. On the ensuing Allegheny drive, Barr intercepted a pass and returned it 17 yards for another touchdown, extending Marymount's lead. Despite a missed extra point, the Saints maintained momentum with another interception by Morgan Lester, setting up a drive that culminated in a 9-yard rushing touchdown by Jesenia Velez.

Late in the quarter, Marymount's defense struck again as Stephanie Braun intercepted a pass for a 20-yard return touchdown, capping off a dominant quarter. The quarter ended with the Saints leading 44-0.

The third quarter saw a defensive highlight for Marymount when Tahira Semper flagged Azalia Berndt for a three-yard loss, halting Allegheny's progress deep in the Saints' territory. Later, the Saints' defense continued to pressure Allegheny, with Alex Veltri making a crucial flag pull that resulted in a significant loss of yardage for Allegheny. Despite these defensive efforts, neither team managed to score during the quarter, leaving the score unchanged heading into the final frame.

The Saints started the fourth quarter with possession on Allegheny's 2-yard line, where Jesenia Velez scored a touchdown with a 2-yard rush at 11:50. After a series of defensive stops, Velez later completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Brianna Lee, extending Marymount's lead. Velez also successfully converted the subsequent pass attempt.

In a crucial defensive play, Naima Thomas intercepted a pass from Victoria Badowski and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown at 1:50. Marymount's dominant performance throughout the quarter secured a 64-0 victory over Allegheny.

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UP NEXT

• The Saints will play at home for their next tri-game, hosting Penn State Schuylkill and Eastern on Sunday, Mar. 22.