Sam Helmstetter netted a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 86^th minute, as the Misericordia University women's soccer team escaped with a 2-1 victory over local rival Wilkes Tuesday afternoon at the Ralston Athletic Complex.
 
“Give credit to Wilkes today,” said MU head coach Mark Stauffer. “They worked hard for a full 90 minutes, and that's what it came down to today. We were fortunate to come out of this game with a win.”
 
The Cougars got on the board in the 13^th minute when senior defender Nicolette Hensel served a perfect ball into the box that Helmstetter headed just inside the right post. For Hensel, it was her eighth assist of the season.
 
The game remained at 1-0 throughout the remainder of the first half and through much of the second half as well, as the Cougars failed to get their attack going.”
 
“We let some things frustrate us tonight, and we never really opened up the game,” said Stauffer. “I think we got a little bit complacent out there, and we can't do that moving forward.”
 
The Colonels got the equalizer in the 75^th minute, when an MU hand ball in the box led to a Katy Fissel penalty kick, which she converted to tie the score at 1-1.
 
However, the Cougars had the answer, as Laura Roney got past the Wilkes defense and made a strong, low cross to Helmstetter who converted on her team-leading 13^th goal of the season. The assist was Roney's ninth of the season and moved her into a tie with Helmstetter for the career assists lead at 31.
 
“We had to make some adjustments once they equalized, sending more players forward to attack. Fortunately, Roney and Helmstetter came through for us once again.”
 
 
Stauffer noted that, despite earning the win, much was to be learned from tonight's performance.
 
“ The biggest take away from tonight is that when we don't give 100% effort and we don't buy into what we do well, anything can happen,” Stauffer said. “We can't be lazy and still get results, and we're going to have to give a better effort as we head into playoffs.”
 
With the victory, the Cougars moved to 12-2-1 and 5-0 in Freedom play, clinching a berth in the Freedom Conference tournament. MU will host King's on Friday in another Freedom Conference contest at 7:00 PM.