After two tough losses on the road to start the year at a pair of NCAA Division II schools and another match being canceled due to an unplayable field, MVNU (1-2, 1-0 AMC) was looking forward to the team’s home opener against Point Park (1-2, 0-1 AMC).

The Lady Cougars had numerous chances in the first half as they led 10-2 in total shots, but MVNU just could not find the back of the net as the match went to the half still scoreless.

Then, in the 62nd minute, senior midfielder Erin Miller out-raced a Lady Pioneer defender to a loose ball just outside the box and tapped it to the side to sophomore forward Courtney Ricker (left). Ricker blasted a shot into the back of the net for her first goal of the season to put the Lady Cougars on top 1-0.

Just over four minutes later, Ricker nearly scored again as her point-blank shot in front of the goal was stopped by Point Park goalie Liz Velez. Fortunately for MVNU, though, freshman midfielder Haley Sparks was there to follow up the shot as she scored her first collegiate goal to give the Lady Cougars a 2-0 advantage.

That would be all the offense that MVNU would need to post the victory as the Lady Cougars finished with a commanding 24-7 advantage in total shots, a 15-2 margin in shots on goal, and an 11-1 edge in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Jenessa Loewen notched her first shutout of the year as she stopped two shots, while Velez posted 12 saves for the Lady Pioneers.

“I was very pleased with our effort today,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert, who notched his first career win and enjoyed an ice water shower from his team after the match to commemorate it (right). “The girls never gave up when they were knocking on the door but not scoring. They stayed composed and kept after it. We got a lot of people into the match and there was not much of a let-up when we did.”

“Courtney had a great game in the center midfield along with Erin and (sophomore) Heidi (Moeckel),” Seiffert added. “They did a great job of distributing. Jenessa and the back line did a great job of keeping the shutout. I thought they dominated the match because they were able to possess and hold the ball and keep Point Park from having very few opportunities. Haley also did a great job off the bench and scored a big goal for us. It was nice to get a victory in our first conference match and our first home match.”

The Lady Cougars will not have much time to enjoy the win as MVNU will return to action on Saturday when the team will host the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) in a non-conference match at 2:00 p.m.