Two shorthanded second half goals proved key as the Misericordia University women's lacrosse team defeated MAC rival King's 17-15, Tuesday at Mangelsdorf Field.

Sophomore Emily Foley had nine points on seven goals and two assists to lead all scorers. Natasha Jankowsky had three goals and three assists, while Brittany Schorr and Krista Shenk also had hat-tricks.

King's had fought back from 11-8 down to pull within one when Monarch Chelsea Manes slipped free for a wide-open breakaway. Defender Marysa Krause dragged her down to prevent the clear scoring chance, but Manes converted the ensuing free position shot.

Now tied and facing a three-minute stretch down a player, the Cougars responded brilliantly. First Camilla Hansen scored to re-take the lead with 19:10 remaining before Jankowsky fed Foley for another man-down goal and a 13-11 MU lead.

Foley would add another with 14:16 remaining but the Monarchs answered 14 seconds later, immediately off the draw. Schorr also had a chance to score right off the ensuing draw control, but King's Megan Mundy made a great point-blank save to deny her.

The visitors pulled to within one with another goal from Manes, but Foley scored twice and assisted Shenk in the same two-minute stretch to put Misericordia up 17-13 with less than eight and a half minutes to play.

MU goalie Brenna Bakera (14 saves) stopped four straight shots to protect the lead before two late Monarch goals made for a nerve-racking ending. The Cougars were finally able to control a draw however, and killed off the game for a deserved two-goal victory.

Misericordia had opened the game with goals from Shenk and Foley, before King's had even had possession in the Cougars end. MU won the first four draw controls and took a 3-0 lead with a goal from Schorr at 23:49 in the first half.

King's Krystina Villarreal then had a wide-open break but Krause, again the last defender, was able to knock the ball free from behind at the last second. Villarreal did get the Monarchs on the board a minute later but Shenk squashed a two-goal King's run with a free-position attempt to put the Cougars up 5-2 midway through the opening period.

The Monarchs were led by Manes (3g, 3a) and Villarreal (3g, 2a). Allison Gourniak and Sarah O'Doherty added three goals apiece.

MU improves to 4-10, 3-8 on the season. The Cougars host Alvernia in their season finale Saturday, when graduating seniors Schorr and Shannon Tinkham will be honored.