The Misericordia University women's soccer team defeated Cortland, 2-0, in a battle of unbeaten, nationally-ranked teams, Wednesday night at Mangelsdorf Field.

Kate Field and Sabrina Competiello scored goals as the number-three Cougars improved to 9-0-1.  Cortland, the second-ranked team in region and receiving votes in both national polls, fell to 7-1-3.

Field scored off a perfect pass from Michaela Fasolino at 15:16 of a dominant first half.

Competiello added an insurance goal in the 78^th minute off a deflection of an Emma Sweitzer shot.

The Cougars controlled the action throughout the first half and took the lead on their fourth shot of the match.  Fasolino dribbled along the end line from the right flank and rolled a perfect pass across the goal where Field buried a shot near the left post from five yards out.

MU continued to apply pressure and nearly made it 2-0 when Brenna Field played a ball back to Kaylee Sturans, whose strike from 25 yards out was barely tipped over the crossbar at 30:10.

Ally Waite fired a shot off the ensuing corner that was cleared in front by a Cortland defender.

The Cougars had another near-miss when Brenna Field's long-range effort was saved over the bar at 32:26.

Julia Beck's header off MU's corner was saved near the left post and the Cougars settled for a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Misericordia finally added an insurance goal late in the second half when Emma Sweitzer beat two defenders and ripped a shot that caromed off a Red Dragon defender and Competiello buried a shot into an empty net near the right post.
 
Coach Mark Stauffer's Comments: "I Thought we were really good in the first half tonight and controlled the pace of play.  However, I thought the in the second half, we let the game open up a little too much and allowed them to play direct.  We needed a little better pressure in our final third, but overall to take it 2-0 and give them their first loss of the season is a good result."