DALLAS, PA – First-year Delia McMullen curled in a 19-yard strike from the center of the field with under seven minutes on the clock to lift the 15th-ranked University of Rochester women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over host and 7th-ranked Misericordia University on Saturday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
McMullen's tally was her team-leading third of the season, all of which have been game-winning goals for Rochester (5-0-3).
 
The first-year found the back of the net in the 84th minute of the game, connecting on a curling shot to the top left corner of the net just outside the box following a scramble in the midfield.
 
First-year goalkeeper Eleni McGuire picked up her third straight shutout since becoming the starting goalkeeper, making four saves in net.
 
Early in the game, Misericordia (7-2-0) generates several scoring chances, the best of which came just 2:13 into the contest. At that point, Olivia Maniskas ripped a 25-yard shot on frame, but McGuire got a piece and pushed the ball into the crossbar.
 
Midway through the period, MU's Esabella Mendola generated a chance from in close on the left wing after winning a battle with a defender, but her shot was deflected away for a corner. The ensuing corner kick was cleared away in the box when McGuire punched away the ball, navigating traffic in close to the goal.
 
Rochester's first good chance to score in the game came in the 30th minute when Hannah Nagashima and Claire Baim played give-and-go along the left wing. Nagashima's final pass set up Baim for an open look eight yards off the line, but Lauren Mondor was there for the save in the Cougar goal.
 
The rebound ended up sitting inside the six, but a cross attempt by the Yellowjackets was cleared away for a corner kick. On the set piece, Baim tried a back heel shot towards the upper part of the net, but the attempt sailed high.
 
With eight minutes to go in the half, Nagashima provided another excellent service, this time to Jane Mueller in front, but her one-timer at the right post missed the target, ending high and wide.
 
In the second half, the Cougars again had the first good chance to score, with Maniskas having a look at an open net at 50:07. Offensive pressure by Misericordia led to a collision on the endline between a forward, UR defender and McGuire, leaving the net open.
 
Fortunately for the Yellowjackets, Maniskas' shot hooked wide left of the post, keeping the game scoreless.
 
Five minutes later, Mendola sent a strong through ball to Lily Heistand who took a one-timer from the left wing that was scooped up by McGuire for a save.
 
Twenty more minutes passed before the Yellowjackets got their first solid chance in the second half at the 77:16 mark.
 
Nagashima was again the one providing the set up, finding Baim once again. Baim's sliding shot from the edge of the six was saved by a well-positioned Mondor.
 
The following corner kick also generated a good look for URochester, with Remi Cherkas providing a header shot right on, but Mondor leapt up to make the save.
 
With Rochester continuing to apply the pressure in the midfield with under ten minutes on the clock, a scramble ended with the ball at the foot of McMullen who converted with the strong shot for the lone goal of the match.
 
The only other shot attempt over the final seven minutes went to Nagashima, as the 'Jackets were able to hang on for the victory, their third in as many matchups all-time against the Cougars.
 
Overall in the game, Rochester led 17-13 in shots and 9-4 in shots on goal. The Cougars edged in front in corner kicks, 8-7, while Mondor finished with eight saves compared to McGuire's four.
 
Rochester's five-match road trip continues on Tuesday evening, with the Yellowjackets taking on RIT at 6 pm.