The Misericordia University field hockey team will make its second consecutive appearance in the Freedom championship game when the Cougars visit FDU-Florham, Saturday at 1:00.

Misericordia, 13-7, advanced to the finals with an impressive 5-0 win over DeSales.  Top-seeded FDU-Florham, 13-7, edged Wilkes, 1-0.

Saturday's winner will earn an automatic berth in the NCAA Championships.

Misericordia won the regular season meeting in their Freedom opener, 3-1, Sept. 28 at FDU.

The title contest features the Freedom Conference Defensive Player of the Year – Misericordia goalie Angela Pasquini – and the Offensive Player of the Year – FDU-Florham midfielder Niki Ikeda.

Pasquini led the Freedom with 79.2 save percentage and was second in goals against average at 1.84.

Second-team All-Freedom selections Danika Watto and Sam Partington teamed with Pasquini on defense.

The Misericordia offense is led by first year Colby Eldridge (17g, 10a).  Jennifer O'Neill (19g, 4a) leads the team in goals, including four in Wednesday's semifinal, and Lindsay Hischak (14g, 13a) has a team-high 13 assists.

Ikeda (9g, 7a), a senior midfielder has 25 points while fellow first-team All-Freedom selection Kim Davis (11g, 9a) leads the team with 31 points.

Katelin Leibner was a first-team All-Freedom choice for the Devils while Stephanie Geskes and Erin O'Connell were second-team.

In goal, FDU's Amy Defnet is 10-3 with a 1.58 goals against average and four shutouts.