The Misericordia University women's lacrosse team clinched a postseason berth with a thrilling 9-8 come-from-behind win at Lebanon Valley, Saturday.
 
Down 8-4, the Cougars scored five unanswered goals over the final 9:30 to secure the win.
 
Kristen Travaglini led the Cougars with four goals and Delaney Campanella had two goals and an assist, including the game-winner.
 
Alicia Pileggi added two goals and an assist.
 
Ryan Gross made 17 saves to earn the win.
 
Misericordia struck first in the opening quarter as Campanella carried the ball across the middle and dished to a cutting Travaglini, who finished in front of the cage to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead just minutes in.
 
The offense continued to click as Pileggi found Travaglini cutting up the middle again, and she quickly turned and fired before the defense could react, extending the lead to 2-0 less than a minute later.
 
Lebanon Valley answered with a 2-0 run to tie the game, but Harner converted on a free position shot to put Misericordia back in front. The Cougars held a 3-2 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The offense stalled in the second quarter as Lebanon Valley held Misericordia without a shot, but the Cougar defense stood strong against 11 attempts. Gross recorded three saves, and the defense limited clean looks on most of the Dutchmen's chances. Lebanon Valley managed to score with one second remaining in the half to tie the game 3-3.
 
Lebanon Valley opened the third quarter with a 3-0 run over the first 10 minutes to take a 6-3 lead. With 57 seconds left in the quarter, Pileggi converted on a man-up free position shot to cut the deficit to 6-4 heading into the fourth.
 
The Dutchmen added two quick goals early in the final frame to extend their lead to 8-4, but Misericordia refused to back down. Campanella beat her defender and buried a shot into the bottom right corner to make it 8-5 with nine minutes remaining.
 
Trailing 8-5 with under four minutes left, Pileggi drove in from the left flank and finished to spark the comeback. Less than a minute later, Travaglini cut from behind the cage, shook her defender, and scored to pull the Cougars within one.
 
Travaglini completed the comeback moments later, spinning past her defender and firing home the equalizer to tie the game 8-8 with two minutes remaining.
 
With 1:37 left, Harner found Campanella cutting across the middle, and she quickly turned and buried the go-ahead goal to give Misericordia a 9-8 lead.
 
The Cougars controlled the ensuing draw and held possession for over a minute. Lebanon Valley regained the ball with 10 seconds left and a man-up opportunity, but the Misericordia defense held firm to secure the 9-8 victory.