The Misericordia University field hockey team will open the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Franklin & Marshall, Wednesday at 6:00.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students with ID's, senior citizens and children.  Please note that pets are not permitted at Tylus Field during NCAA play.  The Misericordia/F&M game is one of eight first-round games in the 24-team NCAA Division III field.  The winner advances to face Montclair State in Saturday's Sweet 16 at Christopher Newport.

The Cougars extended their win streak to nine games with a 2-0 victory over DeSales in the MAC Freedom championship game.
 
Misericordia, 12-8, is making its second appearance after winning its second MAC Freedom title in three years.
 
MAC Freedom Offensive Player of the Year Colby Eldridge (12g, 9a) leads the team in scoring with 33 points.
 
Haley Gruber (6g, 5a), a second-team All-MAC Freedom honoree, is second on the team with 17 points while first-year Madisyn Granoski (6g, 4a) adds 16 points.
 
Senior defender Megan Meckling started all 20 games and was also named second-team All-MAC Freedom.
 
Sophomore goalie Katelyn Campbell earned All-MAC Freedom honorable mention.  She has four shutouts, including one in the MAC Freedom championship game, and is allowing 1.98 goals per game.
 
First-year defender Jenna Whitman was named the MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year.  She started all 20 games and had a team-high three defensive saves.
 
First-year Kayla Pogash scored her second goal of the season to give MU a late lead in the MAC Freedom championship game. 
 
Senior midfielder Melanie Fry added an insurance goal and was named MVP of the championship game.
 
Misericordia opened the season on a six-game losing streak, but has won 12 of its last 14 games.
 
Franklin & Marshall, 15-3, beat Johns Hopkins, 2-1, in the Centennial Conference championship game to earn its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and 10^th overall.
 
The Diplomats are led by Erin Coverdale (15g, 5a) with 35 points while Emily Nagle (11g, 4a) adds 26 points.  Sydney Cole (8g, 5a) and Annie Horsley (9g, 3a) both add 21 points.
 
Ilianna Santangelo has four shutouts and a 0.91 goals against average.