EDWARDSVILLE – The Wilkes University men's soccer team could not overcome a first half deficit as visiting Misericordia University took the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) contest by a 3-1 final Wednesday night at Schmidt Stadium.

Wilkes dropped to 7-6-1 overall and to 2-3-0 in the MAC Freedom while Misericordia improved to 4-9-1 overall and to 3-2-0 in conference games.

The Colonels first offensive threat came in the 18^th minute when Ed Lukowski (Nanticoke, PA/Nanticoke) fired a shot wide to the left of frame as he found himself space in the left side of the box. The Cougars then pounced on the early lead in the 19^th minute when Charles Gugel collected a rebound off the post and converted a shot.

Misericordia kept the pressure on Wilkes and took a two-goal advantage in the 27^th minute when Jared Houser drilled in a rebound after his initial shot was blocked by a defender in close.

Kyle Bentz (Camp Hill, PA/Camp Hill) nearly had an answer for Wilkes in the 28^th minute but his chance went just wide of the right post.

Stephen Johnson (Bear Creek Twp, PA/Coughlin), making his first career start in goal for Wilkes, made a spectacular sprawling save in the 29^th minute to keep the Colonels at a two-goal deficit. He followed with another save just 34 seconds later.

The Colonels regrouped from a tough first 45 minutes and started the second half with renewed motivation. Wilkes capitalized with a goal at the 50:20 mark when Camry Huff (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro) pounced on a rebound off a Jeffrey Eager-Heffner (Blandon, PA/Fleetwood Area) shot from the far right side for his fifth goal of the season.

Nick Szczerba was able to take advantage of a misplay in the 61^st minute to reestablish a two-goal lead for the Cougars.

Wilkes found a lifeline over the last 10 minutes when a Cougars player picked up his second yellow of the game to put the Colonels at a one-man advantage. Huff nearly pulled the Colonels within one goal in the 83^rd minute when his shot bounded off the Cougars goalkeeper. The senior drilled another line drive shot in the 87^th minute from the left side of the box but again Andrew Daubenspeck was up to the task with the save. Bentz then saw his header go wide of goal in the 88^th minute as a Wilkes comeback fell short.

Johnson made three saves for the Colonels.

Each team took three corners with Misericordia holding an 11-8 lead in shots and a 7-4 lead in shots on goal. Misericordia was whistled for 17 fouls compared to nine for Wilkes.

The Colonels return to Schmidt Stadium for Senior Day on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when they welcome in MAC Freedom foe Manhattanville College.