Two late header goals allowed the Eastern women's soccer team to grab a 2-1 victory over Misericordia in the Freedom Conference semifinals.

The Cougars had taken the lead in the 61st minute on a goal by leading scorer Kim Suchoski. Freshman Sam Helmstetter played a beautiful ball over the top to Suchoski, who took a touch to the right before slotting it past the Eastern keeper for a 1-0 MU lead.

Misericordia was boxed in at times but executed their game plan perfectly for the first 70-plus minutes, preventing the Eagles from registering a shot on goal until the second half and looking for opportunities to attack on the counter.

A pair of set pieces finally broke down the Cougars defense however. Kelsey Doutrich headed in two goals less than three minutes apart, the first off a corner kick in the 74th minute and the second off a free kick near the corner in the 77th minute.

Eastern had several good chances in the first half but couldn't find the Cougar goal. Jillian DiRenzo, the Eagles leading scorer, shot wide left on two good chances and MU's Jenn Brucker made a nice tackle to thwart an Eastern breakaway midway through the half.

After keeping the Eagles at bay in the first half, the Cougars began to create some chances of their own in the second half. Just minutes after halftime, Suchoski almost fed Helmstetter but the Eastern keeper came out to smother the ball at the freshman's feet.

Suchoski (off a long ball from Lauren Payne) and Helmstetter each came close to scoring 14 minutes into the second half. The period of sustained pressure paid off as Misericordia scored on their third good chance in a matter of minutes.

The Cougars finish their season with an 8-12 record, and a 5-3 mark against Freedom Conference opponents. Eastern goes on to face Manhattanville on Saturday in the conference championship match.