Danielle Hesler converted a sudden-death penalty kick to lift the 10th-ranked Misericordia University women's soccer team to 6-5 shootout win at #6 Ithaca to advance to the NCAA Division III Elite 8.

Maureen Ciccosanti saved Ithaca's fifth attempt to keep the Cougars' hopes alive and Sam Helmstetter converted her kick to force sudden death.

Caitlyn Boyle converted on the first sudden death kick and after Ithaca's next shot was wide, Hesler buried the winning shot.

After 110 minutes of scoreless play, took a 3-2 lead in penalty kicks with MU's Ashley DiPippa and Laura Roney both making their kicks.

MU missed on their third attempt and the Bombers converted their fourth-straight try, but Lindsay Usarzewicz kept the Cougars alive with a make.

Ithaca had a chance to clinch a spot in Sunday's game on its fifth kick, Ciccosanti made a diving stop to her left dove left to make a save and allow Misericordia the equalizer when Helmstetter converted.

Ithaca made its first sudden death attempt and Boyle answered for the Cougars.

The Bombers' seventh attempt was wide left and Danielle Hesler laced a shot into the lower right corner of goal to punch the Cougars' ticket to the Elite Eight.

Ithaca had back-to-back scoring chances in the first five minutes of play, but Rachael Palladino's shot from 18 yards out was high.

Ciccosanti to tipped a Bomber's shot over the crossbar at the 5:00 mark.

Helmstetter found Laura Roney camped out on the left post at 6:21, but Ithaca's Becca Salant made a diving stop.

At the 10-minute mark, Helmstetter forced Salant to make another athletic stop and Erin McGreal collected the rebound but was unable to convert.

Misericordia posted back-to-back shots in the 68th minute. A Helmstetter header was blocked at 67:10 and Salant made a stop on Alyssa Mocion's shot at 67:18.

Ithaca earned a PK at 74:29 following an MU foul, but the shot was wide left.

Ciccosanti made nine saves during the contest and Salant posted a season-high 12.

The Cougars, 19-2-2, will face Brandeis, Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Ithaca with a chance to advance to the Final Four.