Four different players scored and goalkeepers Haley Brandt and Grace Riker combined for the shutout as the Misericordia University women's field hockey team closed their season on a high note with a 4-0 win over Marywood Thursday evening at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
“I think that they played well tonight,” said MU head coach Robyn Fedor Stahovic. “The team has been working so hard this year, and they've adjusted and made big strides.”
 
The Cougars got off to a strong start, controlling gameplay from the opening minutes. However, it was Stephanie Piser who got the Cougars on the board in the 19^th minute, finishing a pass from Lindsay Hischak to score her first career goal and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
 
Just a few minutes later, the Cougars took advantage of a penalty corner opportunity to increase their lead to 2-0. Emily Hegner entered the ball to Terra Hall, who blasted it into the goal for her team-leading eighth goal of the season..
 
“Emily had a really nice hit out to me on the corner,” said Hall of the play. “I was able to handle it well and send the ball in the cage in the side corner.”
 
Leading 2-0 at halftime, the Cougars wasted little time in the second half increasing their lead. Just three minutes in, Hegner rebounded a shot off a corner entry and pushed it across the line for her fourth goal of the season and a 3-0 lead.
 
It appeared as if the game would remain 3-0, but the Cougars were awarded a penalty stroke in the 69^th minute, and freshman Chelsea Lahr converted for her first career goal.
 
“It was a very nervewracking moment,” said Lahr. “I just took a deep breath and tried my best to put it in. It's really special to get my first career goal.”
 
Brandt made three saves while playing just over three-fourths of the game, while Riker completed the combined shutout in her last contest in a Misericordia uniform. Senior Liz Murdock also made her final appearance in the victory.
 
“It was good for the seniors to get a win during their last time on the field,” said Stahovic. “It's difficult to know that two great seniors are done, but I think that they played hard and left with no regrets.”
 
The Cougars finish their season at 4-15, and eighteen players have the opportunity to return for Misericordia next year.
 
“I think that this was good for our morale and for our state of mind to finish the season strong,” said Stahovic. “It's also a springboard going into the offseason and next year. We've consistently started at least four to five freshmen- as many as eight. They've all gotten a good bit of experience and had the opportunity to grow and mature. Now it will be a matter of watching film and self-critiquing to grow to that next level. I'm hoping that not just the playing and skill continue to improve but also that the leadership ability, game presence, and confidence will carry over and send us into next season a stronger squad.”