Melina Juliano and Brooke North combined for nine goals and Katie McLoughlin made 14 saves as the Misericordia University women's lacrosse team improved to 3-0 in the Freedom Conference with a 16-14 win over Wilkes, Wednesday afternoon at Mangelsdorf Field.

Juliano had five goals and two assists and North had four goals.  Allie Elmes and Erin Baker both added two goals and an assist for the Cougars.

Misericordia used a pair of 4-0 runs to build a 9-2 lead late in the first half.

Tied 1-1, Emily Hegner found North in front of the net for a 2-1 lead just over five minutes into the game.

Ashley Hobbs and Juliano followed with free position goals and Juliano dodged three defenders before finding Hegner racing in front of the goal for a 5-1 lead with 18:07 to go.

After a Wilkes goal, Baker scored on a free position shot, Juliano, Elmes and North all drove the lane to score three straight goals to make it 9-2 with 10:56 remaining.

The Colonels closed the half on a 6-1 spurt to cut MU's lead to 10-7 at halftime.

Wilkes eventually tied the score, 12-12, midway through the second half, but the Cougars took the lead for good with three consecutive goals.

Juliano raced down the middle and fired a shot inside the left post for a 13-12 lead with 11:05 left.

North bounced a free position shot inside the left post and Juliano added a free position goal with 6:01 remaining.

Elmes led MU with eight groundballs and added three draw controls.  Olivia Garcia and Taylor Simeone had four groundballs and Juliano had two groundballs and four draw controls.

Garcia, Stephanie Piser and Rachael Taylor all had two caused turnovers for the Cougars.

MU improved to 6-6 overall and 3-0 in the Freedom.  The Cougars will travel to Manhattanville, Saturday.