The Lady Cougars (15-8-1) controlled the action in the first half as they out-shot Colorado Christian 9-2 in the first 45 minutes of action. MVNU got on the scoreboard in the 29th minute when sophomore forward Jessica Estep (left) beat the defense and then lobbed a 25-yard shot over goalkeeper Alison Cox and into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Estep’s team-leading 20th of the season and the 42nd of her career as she moved into a tie for fourth place in school history in that category with former Lady Cougar standout Lisa Hinman.

That would prove to be the only goal of the match as the second half was a defensive struggle with each team managing just three shots apiece. MVNU led 12-5 in total shots and 5-3 in shots on goal, while Colorado Christian held a 6-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen posted three saves in notching her ninth shutout of the season for the Lady Cougars. Meanwhile, Cox finished with four saves for Colorado Christian.

“Overall, I was pleased with our performance today,” said MVNU coach Jonathan Meade. “We did a great job of controlling play in the first half. We started the second half well also, but after about 20 minutes we kind of settled in and seemed almost content with the 1-0 lead. This was a good win and we’ll look to finish on a high note on Saturday.”

The Lady Cougars will close out play in the tournament and in the 2008 season on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. when MVNU will square off with Asbury (Ky.) College in the fifth-place match.