Senior Sam Helmstetter tied the MU all-time assists record and the #14 Misericordia University women's soccer team used a pair of goals in thirty seconds to pull away from FDU-Florham, defeating the Devils 3-0 in their Freedom Conference opener at Mangelsdorf Field on Saturday evening.
 
Seniors Laura Roney and Erin McGreal scored back-to-back goals in the 22^nd minute, and Megan Lannigan added another insurance goal in the second half en route to the victory.
 
Despite several early opportunities for MU, the game remained scoreless through the first 21 minutes. However, Roney took a feed from Helmstetter in the 22^nd minute to score what would stand as the game-winning goal.
 
For Helmstetter, it was the 30^th assist of her career, tying Carolyn Muller's record set in 2004.
 
McGreal scored an unassisted goal less than thirty seconds later to give the Cougars a 2-0 lead, which they would take into the locker room.
 
In the second half, Lannigan scored an unassisted goal in the 52^nd minute to close the scoring at 3-0, and the Cougar defense preserved the shutout victory.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Maureen Ciccosanti stopped three shots in goal in earning her sixth shutout of the season.
 
MU held a commanding 30-6 advantage in total shots, including a 15-3 advantage in shots on goal.
 
The Cougars will close out their three-game homestand on Tuesday when they host Ithaca at 4:00 PM.