The #4 nationally-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer team suffered its first defeat of the season in a hard-fought 3-1 decision at top-ranked Messiah in a battle of nationally-ranked teams, Saturday evening.

The Cougars grabbed an early lead as they became the first team to score against the Falcons in seven games this year.

After Lauren Mondor made easy saves on Messiah's first two shots in the opening minutes, Maniskas put the Cougars in front on their first shot of the game.

Esabella Mendola played a ball from the top of the box back to Maniskas, who out ran two defenders into the right corner of the box where shot deflected off a defender and inside the right post for a 1-0 lead at 11:19.

Messiah threatened to tie with five shots in a 20-second span midway through the first half.  Mondor had the left post covered as two straight rebounds caromed off the post and Jyanna Mendola cleared another attempt of the line to keep MU in front at 27:00.

Neither team was dangerous for the remainder of the half and the Cougars took a 1-0 led into intermission.

Messiah chipped a ball over the MU defense to create the tying goal early in the second half.

Mondor made a nice save on a one-timer from eight yards out to keep the game tied in the 58^th minute.

Messiah took the lead three minutes later and added an insurance goal on a tough-angle shot from the left wing in the 75^th minute.

Brenna Field had a pair of solid tackles in the box in the second half to keep the Cougars within striking distance.

Maniskas had the best chance of the second half when her strike from 25 yards was denied by a leaping save near the right post in the 78^th minute.