The Misericordia University field hockey team will host the 2017 MAC Freedom championship game when the Cougars take on DeSales, Saturday at 6:00 at Mangelsdorf Field.

Misericordia earned its spot in the title game with a 3-2 victory over Wilkes, Wednesday. Colby Eldridge scored and had an assist while Haley Gruber provided the first goal of the game and Rebecca Kaschak's first career goal gave the Cougars an important insurance goal.

DeSales secured its spot in the title game thanks to a 2-0 upset win over top-seed FDU-Florham, Wednesday. Kylie Honnick-Payne scored both goals for the Bulldogs.

Misericordia is seeded second after finishing the regular season 10-8 overall and tied for first at 6-1 in the MAC Freedom.  DeSales, 12-7 (4-3 MAC), is the fourth seed.  Misericordia is currently on an eight-game winning streak, including a 3-2 victory at DeSales on October 21.

Admission for MAC Freedom championships is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and $2 for students.  Children under six-years-old are admitted free.  Pets are prohibited at Misericordia University athletics facilities.

Misericordia is led by senior forward Colby Eldridge (12g, 9a) with 33 points. Her nine assists is tops in the league. Haley Gruber (6g, 5a) has 17 and Madisyn Granoski (6g, 4a) adds 16 points. Kyleigh Knell and Kailey Vogl both have four goals.

Eldridge was named MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Year and Jenna Whitman was named Rookie of the Year. Haley Gruber and Megan Meckling each made the All-MAC Freedom second team while Katelyn Campbell earned honorable mention.

Campbell has three shutouts and a 2.08 goals against average, good enough for third in the league.

Honnick-Payne leads DeSales and the conference with 44 points and 18 goals while Christie Hansen (9g, 3a) and Chelsea DeFrancisco (4g, 5a) add 21 and 13 points, respectively. 

Honnick-Payne, Madison Brader, and Katarina Polyviou were named to the All-MAC Freedom first team while DeFrancisco was named to the second team and Autumn Klucsaritis was an honorable mention.

Polyviou leads the conference with six shutouts and a 79.7 save percentage.