MVNU (5-5-0, 3-2-0 AMC) wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard as sophomore forward Jessica Estep took a pass from senior midfielder Erin Miller (left) and beat the defense for her team-leading eighth goal of the year just 6:02 into the match as the Lady Cougars took a 1-0 lead.

Just over 10 minutes later, Miller set up the second goal of the match for MVNU as her corner kick was knocked into the back of the net by junior defender Mara Hughes for a 2-0 lead. It increased Miller’s team-leading assist total to six and was the second goal of the year for Hughes.

The score remained that way through halftime and until late in the match when the Lady Cougars’ offense got two goals in the final three minutes. The first came on a penalty kick by Hughes after junior midfielder Nikki Bruscino was fouled in the box with just under three minutes remaining in the match.

Then, in the 88th minute, Estep scored on a breakaway to close out the 4-0 victory with her second goal of the match and her ninth of the year. Estep now has 31 career goals and 67 career points as she ranks fifth in both categories on the school’s all-time lists.

MVNU out-shot Shawnee State (3-4-0, 0-3-0 AMC) 30-4 for the match including an overwhelming 24-0 margin in shots on goal. The Lady Cougars also led in corner kicks 11-0. Sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen posted her first shutout of the year for MVNU, while Sam Rolsen stopped 20 shots for the Lady Bears.

“We came out and played really well at the start of the match and just took control,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade. “I was glad to see us come out ready to play and that set the tone for the match. We continued that effort throughout the match and finished strong with a pair of late goals.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Friday when the team will travel to Houghton (N.Y.) College for a 4:00 p.m. conference match against the perennial conference contenders.