The University of Rochester scored two goals in a three-minute span late in the second half to defeat Misericordia University, 2-1, in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships, Wednesday afternoon in Rochester.
Lindsay Hishcak scored the lone goal for the Cougars at 53:25 of the second half.
Rochester tied it at 59:45 and scored the game-winner less than three minutes later.
Angela Pasquini made seven saves in goal for Misericordia who finished the season at 10-12 after making their first NCAA appearance.
Rochester improved to 17-5 and advances to the Sweet 16 where they will face Salisbury, Saturday at Ursinus.
Pasquini made her first save three minutes into the game and made six more saves over the remainder of a scoreless first half.
MU's best opportunity of the first half came with just six minutes remaining when
Colby Eldridge carried down the left wing and centered to
Jennifer O'Neill, but Yellowjackets' goalie Tara Lamberti made the a nice kick save.
The Cougars possessed the ball in their attacking third early in the second half and nearly capitalized when
Megan Yeager sent a ball toward the left post, but it was just out of Hischak's reach with 23:10 to play.
Sam Partington made a huge defensive save off a Rochester corner to keep the game scoreless with just over 16 minutes remaining.
The Cougars broke through five minutes later when
Melanie Fry carried the ball from the top of the crease on a re-start and dribbled into traffic.
Hischak corralled the loose the ball on the left post and tapped it in to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Sarah Gamble thwarted a Rochester fast break with 13:45 to play, but the Yellowjackets eventually evened the score on a blast of a corner with 10:16 to go.
Rochester tallied the game-winner off a corner with 7:41 to play.
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