MVNU (14-7-1) wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard as sophomore forward Jessica Estep gave the Lady Cougars a 1-0 lead just 1:10 into the match when she followed up an initial shot by freshman midfielder Courtney Ricker with a shot of her own that glanced off a Roberts Wesleyan defender and into the net for her team-leading 19th goal of the season and the 41st of her career. For Ricker, it was her third assist of the tournament and her sixth overall of the year.

That would prove to be all the scoring in the first half as MVNU had to battle against the wind for the first 45 minutes. Despite that disadvantage, the Lady Cougars still out-shot the Lady Raiders (15-7-1) 8-7 in the first half.

Midway through the second half, MVNU finally got an insurance goal in the 69th minute when senior midfielder Page Miller (left) dribbled through the defense and scored her eighth goal of the season and the 29th of her career.

Then, in the 87th minute, freshman midfielder Amanda Woods beat the defense down the right flank and scored her second goal of the season with both goals coming this weekend as the Lady Cougars closed out the 3-0 victory.

MVNU held a 16-10 advantage in total shots, a 7-6 edge in shots on goal, and an 8-3 margin in corner kicks. Sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen posted six saves in notching her eighth shutout of the season and the 11th shutout for the Lady Cougars overall. Meanwhile, Elizabeth Kennedy stopped four shots for Roberts Wesleyan.

“I’m really proud of our team for coming on the road and posting two shutouts this weekend,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade. “We battled well in some tough weather conditions and really played hard. We are excited to have the opportunity to represent MVNU at the NCCAA National Tournament.

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Wednesday, December 3, when MVNU will begin play in the eight-team NCCAA National Tournament in Kissimmee, Fla. The second round will take place on Thursday, December 4, with the final round slated for Saturday, December 6. The teams, pairings, and match times will be released on Monday.