The Misericordia University field hockey team scored two late goals to beat DeSales, 2-0, in the MAC Freedom championship game, Saturday evening at Mangelsdorf Field.

Kayla Pogash scored the game-winner with less than six minutes remaining and game MVP Melanie Fry added a goal less than three minutes later.

MU's Katelyn Campbell made just two saves, but the second was a diving stop near the right post to keep the game scoreless with less than 11 minutes to play.

The Cougars won their ninth straight game to improve to 12-8 and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.

In a defensive battle, the teams combined for just five shots in the first half, with the MU defense holding the Bulldogs without a shot over the final 20 minutes of the half.

After Campbell's huge save, the Cougars earned a corner at the other end five minutes later and Pogash lifted a rebound off a Coleby Eldridge shot into the upper right corner at 64:18.

Misericordia earned three straight corners and Fry dribbled in to the middle of the circle before lifting a shot into the upper left of the corner.

After a scoreless first half, the best scoring chance came when a Misericordia pass deflected off a Bulldogs' defender that had to be cleared by DeSales goalie Katarina Polyviou.

DeSales' had a dangerous opportunity came 10 minutes into the second half when Kylie Honnick-Payne ripped a shot off a corner that was just right of the cage.

Christie Hansen nearly put the Bulldogs ahead at 59:16, but Campbell recovered to make a blocker save.

Misericordia held a 13-3 advantage in shots, including 8-2 on goal, and had a 12-4 edge in corners.