MVNU (8-5-1, 6-3 AMC) got on the scoreboard in the 11th minute when junior midfielder Jessica Estep (left) took a cross from sophomore defender Kelci Rhodes, settled the ball, and ripped a shot into the back of the net to put the Lady Cougars in front 1-0. The goal was Estep’s sixth of the season, while Rhodes moved into a tie for the team lead with her third assist of the campaign.

Seven minutes later, Estep made it 2-0 when she took a through ball from freshman forward Jessica Linger and scored her team-leading seventh goal of the year and the 49th of her career. The assist was the second of the season for Linger.

The score remained that way until the 84th minute when Linger got into the scoring act herself as she took a cross from senior forward Nikki Bruscino and notched her fourth goal of the season to put MVNU on top 3-0. The assist was the second of the year for Bruscino and the 10th of her career.

The three goals, which tied a season-high for the Lady Cougars, would prove to be more than enough offense to secure the victory as MVNU posted its seventh shutout of the season. The Lady Cougars led 17-9 in total shots, 9-6 in shots on goal, and 2-1 in corner kicks. Junior Jessica Loewen and sophomore Courtney Ball combined in goal for MVNU with Loewen registering six saves, while Marisa Alfieri stopped six shots for the Lady Wildcats (6-7-1, 4-4-1 AMC).

“I was very happy with our girls’ performance today as they showed a lot of grit and tenacity,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. “With over half our team being sick right now and not 100 percent, they still played a strong 90 minutes against Daemen, which is a really good side. Our girls are really starting to pick it up and gel together, and I’m getting really excited to see what will happen if we continue to grow.”

“I keep telling the girls that the rest of the season is all in their hands and they get to decide what we do with it,” Seiffert continued. “They are taking my challenge and are running with it, and I can’t be more excited and pleased with their camaraderie and effort through all of this.”

“The back line was solid again with another shutout,” Seiffert added. “They just keep stepping up every day and playing great soccer and tough defense. We don’t have a lot of time to prepare for our next match, but we want to come out and play well for our seniors who will be playing at Cougar Field for the last time - at least in the regular season.”

MVNU will return to action on Tuesday when the Lady Cougars will host Malone University in another conference match at 1:00 p.m. A win or a tie in that match will clinch a playoff berth for MVNU, which still mathematically could share the conference title with two wins and two Houghton (N.Y.) College losses. The Lady Cougars would earn the No. 2 seed in the AMC Tournament if they win their final two matches regardless of what anyone else does.