MVNU (4-2-0) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard when junior defender Kelly Sgambellone slipped a pass to freshman forward Jessica Estep (left) in front of the goal. Estep, who had just returned after missing a match due to an injury, beat Nyack goalie Whitney Shutt and scored to give the Lady Cougars a 1-0 lead as she notched her first collegiate goal less than five minutes into the match.

Five minutes later, Estep played a role in MVNU’s second goal as she laid a pass back to sophomore midfielder Erin Miller at the top of the penalty area. Miller ripped a shot into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead as she registered her first career goal.

The score remained that way until the second half when Estep extended the lead to 3-0 in the 56th minute when she headed in a free kick from senior defender Stacy Robey (below right).

One minute later, junior forward Page Miller increased the lead to 4-0 when she scored off a corner kick by Robey for her third goal of the season.

Then, in the 65th minute, the Lady Cougars capped off their scoring when freshman forward Jena Dickerson headed in a cross from freshman midfielder Jamie Blair for her second goal of the year to make the score 5-0. Junior forward Beth Watkins helped set up the play by slipping a pass to Blair.

MVNU registered its second shutout of the season as all three goalies saw action. Freshman Jenessa Loewen played the entire first half, while senior Melissa Peters played the first 22:30 of the second half. Sophomore Whitney Tatko played the final 22:30 and posted two saves on the Warriors’ only two shots of the match. Shutt and Faith Mol combined to stop nine shots for Nyack (2-3-0).

“I was really pleased with the way that we came out and set the tone early in this match,” said MVNU head coach Jonathan Meade. “I told Jessica before today’s match that today was the day that she would get into the scoring column. She had a great day and it was nice to have her back in action.”

“Everyone really contributed to this win,” added Meade, who was able to get everyone on the roster at least 20 minutes of action in the match. “Our back line is really starting to work well together and is getting more comfortable in their roles. I thought that Whitney did a nice job in goal during her time. This was a good team victory and hopefully will be a good stepping stone for tomorrow’s match.”

In Friday’s other first round contest, 18th-ranked Berry (Ga.) College (2-2-1) and Notre Dame College (5-0-2) battled to a scoreless draw through regulation and two 10-minute overtime periods. Berry held a commanding 31-5 advantage in shots, but the Vikings were unable to find the back of the net as the Lady Falcons were equal to the task.  (BOXSCORE)

On Saturday, Notre Dame will take on Nyack at 1:00 p.m., while MVNU will face Berry at 3:00 p.m.  Following the second match, there will be an awards presentation with the team trophies and the All-Tournament Team announcement.