Laura Leighow scored two goals in a five-minute span in the second half to lift the Misericordia University field hockey team to a 4-3 win over Alvernia, Saturday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.

Kelly Pelcher and Amanda Blank both added goals for the Cougars while Heather DiMenno, Shannon Elqorchi, Carolyn Gerni, Haley Ellis and Sam Sorokas all added assists.

Pelcher gave MU a 1-0 lead off a corner with assists from Elqorchi and DiMenno midway through the first half.

After Alvernia took the opening tap of the second half and tied the score just 28 seconds into the period, Leighow won a scramble for a loose ball in front of the cage and lifted a shot over the Crusaders goalie for a 2-1 lead with 24:38 to play.

Leighow and Gerni executed a perfect give-and-go to make it 3-1 five minutes later.

Blank added a reverse-stick goal inside the right post to give MU a 4-1 lead with 16:30 remaining.

Alvernia scored twice in the final 1:05 to make things interesting.

Ellen Howanitz made seven saves as the Cougars improved to 9-4 overall and 2-1 in the Freedom Conference.

MU will visit DeSales, Tuesday.