The sixth-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer team concluded their home slate of regular season matches with a 3-0 victory over Arcadia, Wednesday night at Mangelsdorf Field. The team remains undefeated in conference play, boasting a 6-0 record in MAC Freedom contests.
 
Julia Beck, Jyanna Mendola and Sabrina Competiello all scored goals in a second half that was largely played in Arcadia's defensive zone. 
 
Lily Heistand set the tone on defense for MU with a pair of blocks in the second minute of action.
 
Madison Brdaric gave the Cougars their first scoring chance of the night at 21:06 with a shot from in close that missed just wide to the right.
 
In an attempt to catch the Knights' defense off guard, Haleigh Wintersteen delivered a cannon of a shot from deep in the neutral zone. The momentum of the ball nearly brought Arcadia's keeper into the goal, however she hung on to make the save at 22:25.
 
Competiello had a pair of shot attempts saved in the 28th and 29th minutes of play.
 
Misericordia's final shot on goal in the first frame came off the boot of Olivia Maniskas, whose shot to the lower right corner of the goal was turned aside at 31:17. After 45 minutes, the match remained scoreless.
 
Brdaric found herself with a golden scoring opportunity just 45 seconds into the second half. The senior dribbled the ball towards goal on a two-on-one and sent a ball to the upper right corner of the goal that was saved by the Knights' keeper.
 
The Cougars opened the scoring shortly after when Beck ripped a shot past the goalkeeper on a feed from Competiello. Beck's seventh goal of the season put MU ahead, 1-0 at 52:08.
 
Wintersteen threatened to double Misericordia's lead in the 62nd minute, when she booted an arcing shot that rang the crossbar.
 
Esabella Mendola got in on the action at 61:50, timing her run perfectly to stay onside as she received the ball from a teammate. Inside the box, Mendola beat her defender and fired a shot from close range that was caught by Arcadia's keeper. 
 
Shortly after a free kick, J. Mendola came away with the ball after a scramble. Her shot squeaked through the goalkeeper and barely crossed the goal line at the left post to give MU a 2-0 lead at 71:54. 
 
Misericordia continued their persistent attack, maintaining strong possession in Arcadia's end of the pitch. At 79:54, Competiello found just enough space inside the box to sneak the ball around her defender. The screaming shot flew over the outstretched right hand of the keeper and into the back of the net, increasing the lead to 3-0. 
 
The Cougars controlled the majority of play in the final 10 minutes and came away with their sixth conference win.
 
Competiello led the way with a goal and assist along with three shots on goal. Beck and J. Mendola also netted goals for MU. As a team, the Cougars were stellar on defense and prevented Arcadia from registering a single shot on goal. Misericordia outshot the Knights by a wide 32-2 margin.
 
The Cougars battle Stevens with the top seed in the MAC Freedom Championships on the line, Saturday at 1:00.