Baltimore, MD – The Misericordia University women's soccer team defeated Rowan University, 3-1, Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Senior Ashley Edgell scored twice for the Cougars and recorded a game-high five shots. The forward netted her first score in the 42^nd minute while her latter occurred in the 61^st minute.

Edgell tallied the first half's lone goal in the final minutes after she capitalized on a Rowan error inside the box, controlled the errant pass and ripped a shot to the far side past Shelby Money to give the Cougars a 1-0 advantage.

Edgell tallied her second goal in the 61^st minute after receiving a Kaylee Sturans pass from the right side. The forward made a move on the defender and ripped the ball past Rowan's goalkeeper from the center of the box for her ninth goal of the season.

Moments later, Jeanna Orfanos added an insurance goal when she connected on a through ball from Kendall Pearage. The junior midfielder beat Rowan's keeper to the far post for her team-leading 10th goal of the season.

During the final minutes of the half, Alexis Benedetto preserved the Cougars' lead with a clutch save in the final seconds. Following a Darah Wagner free kick from just outside the right side of the box, the junior keeper denied Casey Lubonski from point-blank range as time expired.

Benedetto and the Cougars shined in the first half with several defensive stands.

Benedetto made a diving stop in the second minute following a Cougar turnover. The All-MAC Freedom first-team selection lunged to the left side and swatted away a Wagner rip from the center of the box.

Moments later, the Cougars fought off another Rowan scoring chance after Wagner was awarded a free kick from 20-yards out. The forward attempted to play a ball low through a wall of defenders, but Misericordia stood strong and neutralized the attack.   

Benedetto made another key save in the second half to deny Daria Jones, who had an open look at the net. The keeper cut off Jones' angle and corralled the forward's low strike. She ended the night with five saves, which ties her season-best mark. 

Following the Cougars first score, the team swung momentum in their favor and began to click offensively in the second half.

Before netting her second goal, Edgell nearly connected on two other second half scoring opportunities. In the 52^nd minute, Kristen Ritter attempted to play a cross to Edgell on a free kick from the right corner, but couldn't connect as the forward cut through the box. Moments later, Edgell ripped another shot towards the net, but had it blocked by a Rowan defender.

Rowan netted its lone goal in the 82^nd minute when Arianna Durling scored on a rip from 15-yards out. 

Misericordia improves to 16-2-1 and will battle the host Johns Hopkins, Sunday at 6:00 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Jays defeated Cabrini College, 3-1, in their first round matchup.