PURCHASE, N.Y. – The Manhattanville College women's soccer team received a tremendous effort from sophomore netminder Dolores Diemicke (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge), but it was not enough as Misericordia University, ranked 18th in both NSCAA and D3soccer.com Div. III national polls, picked up a 2-0 victory in Freedom Conference action on Saturday afternoon at GoValiants.com Field.
 
Entering the match having outscored its opponents by a 43-4 margin, Misericordia garnered plenty of shots but had trouble breaking through the Valiant defensive unit, thanks in large part to the play of Diemicke. The sophomore turned aside a career-high 18 shots and allowed only one goal from the run of play against the nationally ranked Cougars, the most saves by a Valiant since Ali Bromson '11 made 18 stops at Vassar on September 29, 2007.

Megan Mahoney led the way with both goals for Misericordia (12-2-0, 4-0-0 Freedom), who remain in first place in the conference standings with the victory. 

Diemicke stood on her head in the first half of play for Manhattanville (2-11-1, 0-3-1 Freedom), turning aside all 11 on-target attempts to keep the match scoreless at the half. Mahoney finished off a cross from Erin McGreal in the 58th minute to finally put her team ahead, and she added a penalty kick score in the 73rd minute to complete the scoring.
 
The Cougars finished the match with a 46-1 edge in shots. Maureen Ciccosanti earned the victory by making one save for the Cougars.
 
The Valiants will look to rebound on Tuesday night, when the squad makes the trip to FDU-Florham for a 7 p.m. conference matchup with the Devils.