PURCHASE, N.Y. – Misericordia University, ranked 25th in Division III according to the latest NSCAA Div. III National Poll, used three second-half goals to defeat Manhattanville College by a 3-0 score in MAC Freedom women's soccer action on a rainy Saturday afternoon at GoValiants.com Field.
 
Jordyn Martini, Alex Gallagher and Jordyn Powell scored for Misericordia (9-3-0, 2-0-0 MAC Freedom), who needed those goals in the second half after the Manhattanville defense stood tall after the opening 45 minutes. The Cougars held decided advantages in possession and scoring chances early on, but the Manhattanville backline held strong to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.
 
The Cougars' best chance of the first half came in the 17th minute, when a header by Jeanna Orfanos was cleared off the line by junior Mackenzie Trainor (Port Jervis, N.Y./Port Jervis). Senior Dolores Diemicke (North Massapequa, N.Y./Plainedge) also made six saves, including several diving stops, to keep the game scoreless at the half.
 
After continued pressure on the Valiant defense, Misericordia finally broke through in the 53rd minute, when Martini put home a cross from Evelyn Logie with only Diemicke between her and the net. Another goal from the right wing came in the 64th minute, with Gallagher beating Diemicke in another one-on-one opportunity off a cross from Jacqueline Stevens.
 
Powell added a third goal with 7:06 remaining, with a nice redirection of a Gabby Babula cross to complete the scoring.
 
Diemicke did everything she could to keep Manhattanville (3-7-1, 0-2-0 MAC Freedom) in the match, finishing with a season-high 14 saves.
 
Manhattanville will return to action on Wednesday, when the Valiants travel to Center Valley, Pa., to take on DeSales University in a MAC Freedom match beginning at 3:30 p.m.