The 13
th-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer claimed its third consecutive MAC Freedom championship with a 3-0 win at DeSales, November 8, 2014.
MU's Megan Mahoney was named Freedom Conference Championships MVP after recording a hat trick to tie the school single-season records for goals (19) and points (53). Â
Alex Gallagher,
Meghan Antrim and
Erin McGreal picked up assists in the victory.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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MU nearly extended its lead on multiple occasions. Mahoney had a chance early in the half, but overran the ball. Â Â Misericordia had another chance as Gallagher's first touch found
Emily Szeflinski who then sent a thru ball to Antrim, but the DeSales' keeper came out to make the save.
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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.
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The Cougars defense and keeper
Maureen Ciccosanti secured the victory with a strong second half.
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DeSales best chance of the game came when Ciccosanti made a diving save on a shot from just inside the box midway through the second half.
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Ciccosanti recorded two saves to pick up her 55
th career win, the most of any keeper in MU women's soccer history.
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With the victory, the Cougars improved to 17-2-1 and receive an automatic bid into the Division III NCAA Tournament.