The #21 Misericordia University women's soccer team gave up a pair of first-half goals as the Cougars dropped their first contest of the season to #3 Messiah, 2-1, Saturday night at Shoemaker Field.
 
The Falcons got on the scoreboard in the 23^rd minute,  when Tania Nieto scored a one-touch goal off an Alicia Frey free kick into the box.
 
Five minutes later, Rachel Scheibeler fired a shot past Cougar keeper Maureen Ciccosanti into the upper 90 to increase the Messiah lead to 2-0.
 
The Cougars nearly broke through on Sam Helmstetter's header at 33:23, but it was deflected wide.

Megan Lannigan followed with a shot six minutes later, but it was saved and the Messiah lead held at halftime.

Helmstetter had another header off Nicolette Hensel's corner midway through the second period, but it was stopped by the Messiah keeper.

Maureen Ciccosanti made five saves in goal for the Cougars.

MU held a 5-2 advantage in corners.

The Cougars, 6-1-1, return to action on Wednesday when they host Elizabethtown.