The Misericordia University women's soccer team improved to 3-0 following their 5-0 shutout of Penn State Berks, Wednesday night at Mangelsdorf Field. The Cougars scored four goals in the first half to take a comfortable lead over the Nittany Lions.
 
Haleigh Wintersteen had a goal and two assists while Emma Sweitzer, Lily Heistand, Olivia Maniskas and Madison Brdaric all found the back of the net as well. 
 
Jyanna Mendola gave MU their first high-quality scoring chance just over five minutes into the contest when she ripped a shot to the top left corner of the goal. The ball was punched out by the PSU Berks goalkeeper to keep the match scoreless.
 
Misericordia got on the board shortly after, as Sweitzer fired a shot past the keeper from the left side of the box at 38:27. Wintersteen collected an assist on Sweitzer's team-leading fifth goal of the season to make it 1-0.
 
The Cougars struck again at 28:52 when Heistand lofted a shot just under the crossbar from the top of the box, doubling MU's advantage.
 
With just under 17 minutes to go in the first half, Maniskas sent a towering shot over several Nittany Lion defenders from 35 yards out. Her shot was redirected over the bar by the netminder to keep MU's lead at 2-0. 
 
Wintersteen got onto the scoresheet once again at 11:50 when she pitched a shot from 40 yards away that grazed the goalkeeper's fingertips. 
 
A quick turnover following a Nittany Lion goal kick proved to be costly as the MU offense quickly moved the ball over to Maniskas. The junior threaded a laser of a shot between two defenders and over the keeper to make it a 4-0 contest heading into halftime.
 
Esabella Mendola put together a pair of dangerous scoring attempts in the early stages of the second half.  After rolling a shot across the box and getting denied on a nice save, however, the score remained 4-0. 
 
The Cougars threatened yet again in the 57th minute when Wintersteen rifled a ball off the crossbar.
 
Misericordia tacked on another goal with 29:58 remaining on the game clock. Wintersteen sent a shot towards the goal that was redirected by Brdaric and snuck inside the right post. Wintersteen secured her second assist and fourth point of the evening to give MU a 5-0 lead, which they would carry through the end of the match.
 
The Cougars played lockdown defense, holding the Nittany Lions to just one shot.
 
MU returns to the pitch to take on Shenandoah University in the first game of the Cougar Classic, Saturday at 1:00.