Box Score The 13^th-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer team used a relentless offense attack and suffocating defense to earn its third straight Freedom Conference title with a 3-0 victory at DeSales on Saturday afternoon.
 
Megan Mahoney was named Freedom Conference Championship MVP and led the Cougars with three goals, which ties the single season record for goals in a season with 19 and single season record for points with 53. Alex Gallagher, Meghan Antrim and Erin McGreal picked up assists in the victory.
 
The Cougars got out to a quick start and never looked back, as Mahoney took advantage of a direct kick from just outside the box to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.
 
Later in the first half, Antrim played a perfect thru ball to Mahoney, who then dribbled around the keeper and finished into a wide open net to make it 2-0 in the 24^th minute.
 
Mahoney completed the hat trick, scoring off of Gallagher's cross from the far side of the field, giving MU a 3-0 advantage with just 20 minutes left in the first half. McGreal started the play with the initial cross from the near side.

The Cougars dominated the entire first half, earning an 8-0 advantage in shots and a 6-0 advantage in corners.
 
MU nearly extended its lead on multiple occasions. Mahoney had a chance early in the half, but overran the ball. She then had another chance as Gallagher's first touch found Emily Szeflinski who then sent a thru ball to Antrim, but DeSales' keeper came out to make the save.
 
Late in the first half, Antrim had a header go wide and then a shot go high while Mahoney also had a shot sail wide.
 
The Cougars defense and keeper, Maureen Ciccosanti, secured the victory with a strong second half.
 
DeSales best chance of the game came when Ciccosanti made a diving save on Brady Walsh's shot from just inside the box midway through the second half.
 
Ciccosanti picked up her 55^th career win, which is the most wins of any keeper in MU women's soccer history. She finished the game with two saves.
 
With the victory, the Cougars improve to 17-2-1 and receive an automatic bid into the Division III NCAA Tournament. It will be MU's fourth straight tip to the NCAA Championships. The Cougars made a run to the Final Four in 2012 and reached the Sweet 16 last season.
 
MU will find out information about their first round game when matchups are released Monday.