After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Ursuline College on Tuesday when MVNU controlled the action but just could not find the back of the net, the Lady Cougars (3-3, 2-1 AMC) came out in attack mode against the previously unbeaten Celtics (3-1, 0-1 AMC). With just 8:09 gone in the match, freshman forward Jessica Linger (left) dribbled through the defense and ripped a shot into the back of the net to give MVNU an early 1-0 lead. The goal was her second of the season and it would also prove to be her second game-winning goal.

Less than four minutes later, the lead grew to 2-0 when senior forward Nikki Bruscino slipped a through ball to junior midfielder Jessica Estep, who fired a shot into the back of the net for her second goal of the season. The goal was also the 44th of Estep’s career and she became the fifth player in program history to record 100 career points.

With the first half winding down, freshman midfielder Haley Sparks gathered a loose ball and beat a defender as she scored her second goal of the season in the 42nd minute to give the Lady Cougars a 3-0 halftime lead.

That would prove to be all the scoring in the match despite the fact that MVNU out-shot Carlow 13-0 in the second half. The Lady Cougars were able to play all 23 players on their roster and posted the team’s third shutout of the season.

MVNU finished the match with a commanding 30-2 advantage in total shots and a 15-1 edge in shots on goal. The Lady Cougars also led 4-0 in corner kicks. Junior Jenessa Loewen and sophomore Courtny Ball combined on the shutout for MVNU with Loewen posting one save, while Nicole Yusko stopped 11 shots in goal for the Celtics.

“I was very pleased with the entire team today - everyone on the roster contributed today and did a great job,” said MVNU coach Daniel Seiffert. “Our back line did a tremendous job of keeping the shutout. They are our difference makers every single match.”

“It was nice to see three goals scored today by three different people - two of which were freshmen,” Seiffert added. “I was very pleased with our overall effort and our combination plays. Our work ethic was very good today and everyone who came off the bench kept our level just the same and there was no letdown. I love how deep our team is. I can put different people in different positions and there is not much of a letdown at all.”

The Lady Cougars will return to action on Wednesday when they will host Ohio Dominican University in a non-conference match at 5:00 p.m. The Lady Panthers are coached by former MVNU coach Jonathan Meade.

“Our girls are really looking forward to our match against Ohio Dominican,” said Seiffert. “(Ohio Dominican) is a talented team and we definitely want to have a good showing against them. We will work hard in practice and be ready to play.”