The number-one nationally-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 with a convincing 5-1 win over Western New England, Sunday evening at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
The Cougars improved to 20-0-1 and reached the Sweet 16 for the second straight year and sixth time overall.
 
Michaela Fasolino had two goals and an assist and Colleen Kinsella scored twice for MU.  Julia Beck added a goal while Zoee Farr, Kaylee Sturans, Sabrina Competiello and Haleigh Wintersteen all added assists.
 
MU overwhelmed the Golden Bears for much of the match, holding them without a shot for nearly 60 minutes.
 
The Cougars dominated possession early and took six shots in the first eight minutes.
 
Misericordia broke the ice when Farr beat a defender in the left corner and found Fasolino at the left post where she settled the ball and tapped in for a 1-0 lead at 8:33.
 
Beck headed home a perfect corner kick from Sturans less than two minutes later.
 
Field nearly made it 3-0, but her shot from 10 yards out found the left post at 18:47 and Ally Waite's shot in the 26^th minute was denied by a diving save near the right post.
 
Fasolino's shot from close range was stopped on another diving save late in the first half and the Cougars settled for a 2-0 halftime lead.
 
MU wasted little time getting in gear in the second half when Competiello won a ball in a crowd in front and found Fasolino for another tap-in goal at 46:10.
 
Fasolino played a perfect ball from the left flank to Kinsella for a header from six yards out to give MU a 4-0 lead at 57:23.
 
Western New England got its first shot off at 59:58 and had two more quick shots two minutes later with Madi Welliver answering the call with a diving save to her left at 61:34.
 
Wintersteen played a lofted ball over the top of the defense and found Kinsella in stride as she poked a shot inside the right post to make it 5-0 at 77:15.
 
The Golden Bears finished a corner in the 88^th minute to close out the scoring.
 
Misericordia will face Scranton in the Sweet 16, Saturday.