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DeSales University Athletics

Meryah Harding
Pat Jacoby - DeSales

Field Hockey BJ Spigelmyer - DeSales University Sports Information Director

Bulldogs Clinch Playoff Berth Despite 2 OT Heartbreaking Loss at Wilkes

Sophomore Meryah Harding scored DSU's first goal in the 3-2 loss at Wilkes on Saturday.
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Wilkes-Barre, PA (October 26, 2013) – For just the second time in school-history the DeSales University field hockey team is headed to the post-season, clinching a spot in the Freedom Conference playoffs Saturday despite a heartbreaking double overtime 3-2 loss at Wilkes University.

The Bulldogs (8-8, 4-2 Freedom) have one more game left, Tuesday at home vs. King's College and with a win vs. the Lady Monarchs, DSU will clinch a home playoff game and no worse than the #2 seed heading into the postseason.  DSU's last and only other playoff appearance came during the 2007 season.

Once again on Saturday DSU found itself down one goal as Wilkes scored in the 17th minute and that one-goal lead stood into the half before the Bulldogs took control.

Just 1:10 into the second-half sophomore Meryah Harding scored on a corner insert from junior Alyssa Malatesta at the top of the arc tying the game at one.

Just over eight minutes later freshman sensation Alexa Beaumont gave DSU a 2-1 lead when she tallied her seventh goal of the season off a feed from junior Alison Malatesta.

That lead stood into the final moments of regulation.  The Bulldogs had dominated the second-half thru the first 28 minutes allowing just one shot and two corners to the Colonels during that time span, but WU rallied and had a furious finish that saw four corners and three shots over the final 6:19 ending in a goal from Ashley Hahn with just 2:18 left to play in regulation tying the score and forcing overtime.

Neither team scored in the first 15-minute extra period despite three corners each and several scoring chances.  In the second overtime DSU had back-to-back shots in the 89th minute before a clear and fresh legs on two substitutions gained control of the ball and Wilkes' Aliya Frankel (one of the subs just seconds prior to the goal) scored unassisted giving the Colonels the win.

Wilkes finished the game out-shooting the Bulldogs, 23-17.  Sophomore Becky Rasmuson was solid in goal making 10 saves, six in the first-half to keep DSU in the game.

Game time for Tuesday is set for 3:00 pm as the Bulldogs chase a #2 seed and home playoff game vs. King's in the final regular season Freedom Conference game.
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