A pair of second half goals carried the Misericordia University men's soccer team past Marywood and into the ECAC South semifinals as the Cougars prevailed 3-1, Wednesday in Scranton.

Senior Joey Scanlon came up big with the winning goal and an assist, while junior Matt Scott and sophomore Andy Bush also scored.

The sixth-seeded Cougars advance to face Grove City in a semifinal on Saturday at 2:00, after the seventh-seeded Wolverines upset Washington & Jefferson 3-1 in their first round matchup. Stevenson will host the final four and faces Bethany in the other semifinal at 11:00.  The winners will meet for the ECAC title, Sunday at noon.

Bush had given MU the lead in the fourth minute, knocking the ball home from close range after Scanlon had flicked on Bryan Kulbacki's long throw.

After Marywood tied it up midway through the second half, Scanlon came up with another huge header, powering home freshman Bo Garrick's corner kick in the 69th minute.

Scott's insurance goal was a highlight-reel 30-yard rip from the right sideline with 12 and half minutes remaining- one of the goals of the season for Misericordia.

Bush's early tally was the only shot on goal for either side in a tight first half, although the Cougars put together some solid play and looked comfortable on Marywood's brand-new turf field.

Midway through the half, the Cougars counterattacked and Bush found Dan Pinto on the left side. The junior made a nice cut to get free at the top of the box but his shot sailed high.

A little later, Bush chased a ball down on the left side of the goal area and tried a difficult flick shot that also went over the goal.

Marywood's goal came in the 63rd minute, off a free kick from the left side. Ryan Jones served in his 13th assist of the season, with teammate Will Gordon left all alone to finish at the back post. MU goalkeeper Mason Astaneh nearly saved the point-blank shot, but the ball squibbed inches over the goal-line.

The Cougars could have grabbed a fourth late in the match, when Bush got free along the right side and crossed to Eric Kishbaugh in the middle. The sophomore had an open goal to shoot at but Pacer defender Chris Rodzewich hustled back and blocked the chance off the line.

MU is 13-8 on the season heading into its trip to Maryland this weekend.


Game Highlights: