The Misericordia University field hockey team started their 2024 season off strong with a 4-0 shutout over Gwynedd Mercy, Friday evening at Mangelsdorf Field. Senior forward Lily Metress led the MU offense with a hat trick.
 
Metress opened the scoring at 4:22 into the first quarter to put the Cougars on the board, 1-0. Ava Cirigliano picked up an assist on the play for her first collegiate point. 
 
MU put together an offensive surge midway through the second quarter, generating three consecutive penalty corners and registering one shot on goal. The Griffins' defense stood tall, keeping their deficit at one goal heading into halftime. 
 
Metress found the back of the net twice in the third quarter to complete the hat trick. Ellie Hershey assisted on both goals that put Misericordia up, 3-0. 
 
Cougars' goalie Sarah Bogina turned aside two shots in the third frame to preserve the 3-0 lead heading into the final 15 minutes of play.
 
Cirigliano continued to impress in her collegiate debut as the first-year buried a shot with 5:53 remaining in the fourth quarter to build Misericordia's lead to 4-0. 
 
MU held a commanding 21-2 advantage in penalty corners and outshot Gwynedd Mercy 18-5. 
 
The Cougars hit the road for a matchup with Ithaca College, Wednesday at 7:00.