Wilkes-Barre, PA (November 2, 2016) - Junior Gabby Lucchese scored with 4:01 left in the first OT lifting the DeSales University women's soccer past Wilkes University, 2-1, in the semifinals of the MAC Freedom postseason tournament on Wednesday evening.

The Bulldogs (9-9) advance back to the MAC Freedom championship game for the second straight year at Misericordia University on Saturday afternoon with game time set for 4:00 pm.  Misericordia advanced with a 1-0 win over FDU-Florham, also on Wednesday.

DSU took a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute when senior Jess Wetherhold scored off an assist from junior Danni Engwall as that lead stood into the half.

Wilkes (7-11) tied the game with just over 12 minutes left as Brittany Gurreri got behind the DSU defense and scored inside the right post eventually sending the game into overtime.

The Colonels controlled play at the start of OT, hitting the crossbar once, and just missing high midway thru the first extra period.  With about 4:30 left, DSU cleared the ball out of its box creating a transition opportunity.

Junior Angelica Bertola won a 50/50 ball and broke free in the middle of the field with one Colonel defender back.  She spotted Lucchese streaking down the left side and fed a pass forward and Lucchese slid home a low shot just past the charging Colonel keeper giving DeSales the one goal win.

Wilkes had a 24-11 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in corner kicks.  Senior Emily Hoats made eight saves in the win.