The Misericordia field hockey team clinched a spot in the MAC Freedom tournament with a 3-2 victory over DeSales, Saturday afternoon in Center Valley.

Kailey Vogl, Colby Eldridge and Haley Gruber each scored for the Cougars while Eldridge and Melanie Fry added assists.

As has been the case recently, the Cougars needed to rally from an early deficit.

DeSales took a lead seven minutes into the game when they corralled a loose ball in the circle and shot it into the back of the cage.

Misericordia pulled even in the 23^rd minute when Vogl took a pass from Eldridge and fired a shot that caromed off the goalie's pads and into the cage.

Eldridge gave Misericordia the lead four minutes later on a pass from fellow senior Fry.

Misericordia did not let up before the half ended, scoring another goal in the 34^th minute. With a Bulldog in the penalty box, Gruber took advantage, finding the back of the cage for the sixth time this season off an assist by Kyleigh Knell.

In the second half, DeSales came out attacking and got a goal with 20 minutes to go to pull back within one. However, the Cougars defense held up the rest of the game to secure the victory.

Katelyn Campbell finished the game with five saves, all coming in the second half.

Misericordia will finish their conference slate, Thursday at 7:00 when they face Wilkes on the road.