The University of Toledo women's soccer team opened its 2026 campaign in front of a home crowd at Paul Hotmer Field, defeating Mercyhurst 6-2.
A Night of Milestones
The Rockets erased an early 1-0 deficit by scoring four unanswered goals in the first half, turning the match on its head before Mercyhurst added a single strike after the break.
Ella Zoerhoff led the offense with a hat trick, including two penalty conversions, marking her first multi‑goal game since 2024 and the first by a Rocket since Stephanie Currie in 2019.
Sadie Walsh contributed a brace, scoring in both halves, while McKenna Schultz found the net for the first time since 2021, adding to the six‑goal outburst.
Before kickoff, the team honored five seniors — Carys Bourbeau, Keeley Clinton, Kaitlyn Colvert, Kayla Flory, and Emma Rhoades — who have been cornerstones of the program.
Head Coach Mark Batman praised the collective effort, emphasizing the impact of substitutions and the continued development of younger players.
The 6‑2 result also marked the first time the Rockets have scored six goals in a match since August 26, 2021, against Detroit Mercy, underscoring the offense's newfound firepower.
The roster also includes Gabrielle Anulare, Keira Billis, Hailee Maynard, Sadie Lewis, Anamari Bosnjak, and Abby‑Lee Sanogo, further enriching the midfield options.