MVNU (11-6-1, 9-3-1 AMC) got on the scoreboard in the 11th minute when senior midfielder Page Miller (left) took a pass in the middle of the field and dribbled through the defense before ripping a shot inside the far post for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Miller’s sixth of the season and the 27th of her career as she ranks sixth in school history in that category.

The lead grew to 2-0 in the 36th minute when sophomore midfielder Jamie Blair ripped a 35-yard shot over Walsh goalkeeper Jillian Zanney’s outstretched arms for her second goal of the season.

Then, with just 2:46 left in the half, junior defender Mara Hughes headed in a cross from senior defender Kelly Sgambellone for her fifth goal of the season and a 3-0 halftime lead. The assist was the fifth of the year for Sgambellone and the 14th of her career as she moved into a tie for ninth place on the Lady Cougars’ career assists list.

Ten minutes into the second half, senior midfielder Erin Miller got into the scoring act when she took a pass from freshman midfielder Courtney Ricker and chipped a shot over Zanney from 30 yards out for her fifth goal of the season and a 4-0 advantage.

In the 74th minute, MVNU closed out the scoring in the 5-0 win as freshman midfielder Ashley Smithberger was credited with her second goal of the season as she put in a loose ball in the box that was not cleared following a corner kick by Erin Miller.

The Lady Cougars had a commanding 24-7 advantage in total shots, a 12-3 lead in shots on goal, and an 8-1 margin in corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen (right) posted her fifth shutout of the season as she stopped three shots, while Zanney posted seven saves for the Lady Cavaliers (9-8-1, 7-5-1 AMC).

“I was pleased with our effort today and happy that our seniors were able to all contribute to the scoring on Senior Day,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade as both Page and Erin Miller each scored a goal and Sgambellone registered an assist. “We played good soccer for the entire match and the result shows that.”

“I am really pleased with the way that our offense has performed this week,” Meade continued referring to the fact that the Lady Cougars have scored 12 goals this week with eight coming in the first halves and 10 different players scoring a goal. “We are heading into the postseason with a four-match winning streak and some confidence. It is important to be playing your best soccer this time of the year and we are headed in the right direction.”

With the victory over Walsh, MVNU secured a home playoff match in the first round of the AMC Tournament on Saturday, November 8. The Lady Cougars will be the No. 4 seed in the six-team tournament and will host No. 5 seed Cedarville University with the start time still to be determined. Cedarville defeated MVNU 2-0 at Cougar Field on September 18 in the earlier meeting this season. The other AMC Tournament match on November 8 will feature No. 3 seed Roberts Wesleyan hosting No. 6 seed Walsh. Then, the AMC Tournament semifinals will be held at No. 1 seed Ohio Dominican University with No. 2 seed Notre Dame College rounding out the field. Houghton (N.Y.) College won the AMC regular-season title and will not play in the tournament as they have already secured an automatic berth in the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round on November 22. The AMC Tournament champion will also receive a berth in that event.