The Misericordia University field hockey team advanced to the MAC Freedom championship game after a thrilling 1-0 victory over DeSales, Wednesday evening at Mangelsdorf Field.
 
Riley Dwyer scored the game-winning goal with an assist from Celeste Hoffman with less than a minute to play.
 
Sarah Bogina made two saves to earn the shutout.
 
With overtime looming, Hoffman's pass from the right wing deflected off the goalie to Dwyer in front of the cage where knocked it in to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead with just :42 remaining.
 
The game was a defensive struggle, especially early on as neither team managed a shot in the first quarter.
 
The Cougars went on the offensive at the start of the second quarter as Abigail O'Donnell took a shot toward the right post which was stopped by the goalie.
 
DeSales found an opportunity after earning a penalty corner, but the Cougars defense held strong as they blocked the first attempt and Bogina made a diving stop to her right on the rebound.
 
Bogina recorded a second save shortly after on another penalty corner.
 
Madison Lasinski had an opportunity on a breakaway late in the second period, but her shot missed wide right as goalie came out to cut down the angel.
 
DeSales nearly broke the tie midway through the third quarter with a shot off the left post that was eventually cleared by Ava Cirigliano.
 
With just under two minutes left in the third, the Cougars earned another a penalty corner, but the shot wide right.
 
Misericordia threatened later in fourth quarter with multiple corners, but Madison Lasinski's shot in front was saved.
 
The Cougars will play at Stevens in the MAC Freedom Championship game, Saturday.