The fifth-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer team scored four unanswered goals in the second half to defeat Rutgers-Newark, 4-1, Sunday afternoon at McGeehan Field.
 
Emma Sweitzer had a goal and an assist and Sabrina Competiello and Julia Beck added goals.  Carly Cavanaugh and Haleigh Wintersteen had assists and the Cougars benefitted from an own goal.
 
After the Scarlet Raiders scored on a breakaway early in the first half, the MU defense stiffened and allowed just one shot over the final 79 minutes.
 
The Cougars pulled even on a corner less than two minutes into the second half.  Sweitzer played a ball to Wintersteen who headed the ball to Competiello for the equalizer at 46:50.
 
Competiello played a ball from the left flank that was deflected by a Rutgers-Newark defender inside the right post to give MU a 2-1 lead at 49:52.
 
MU added an insurance goal in the 83^rd minute when Sweitzer received a pass on the right edge of the box, turned and beat her defender and placed a shot under the bar from 12 yards out.
 
Misericordia closed out the scoring five minutes later when Cavanaugh played a ball over the top of the defense and Beck buried her one-timer from six yards out to make it 4-1 at 87:08.
 
MU took 15 shots, including 10 on goal, while allowing just three shots.  Misericordia earned 11 corners and all owed just one. 
 
The Cougars will travel to #17 Montclair State, Wednesday.

Coach Stauffer's Comments:
"Today was another step in the right direction for us, but we are still searching to put together a full 90 minutes of details. We were really good in the second half, but we need to start matches in better form. We are getting closer with each match to figuring out our best group and in what positions.  I am looking forward to watching this group grow together throughout the season."