CENTER VALLEY, PA –DeSales University scored two straight goals to break open a tie game at the half and held on late after a Wilkes University rally posting a 3-2 victory over the Colonels in the MAC Freedom semifinals Wednesday afternoon.
 
Wilkes wrapped up its 2018 campaign with an 8-10 overall record after reaching the MAC Freedom postseason for a sixth consecutive year. DeSales advances to the MAC Freedom Championship Saturday against the winner of No. 1 FDU-Florham and No. 4 Eastern University played later tonight.
 
The Bulldogs opened the scoring at the 5:32 mark of the first half when Kylie Honnick-Payne scored off an assist from Christie Hansen. Wilkes responded at the midway point of the frame when Maddie Kelley (Dallas, PA/Dallas) knotted the game at 1-1 scoring off a helper from Haley Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Wyoming Valley West) sending the game tied into the break.
 
DeSales then swung momentum in its favor scoring two straight goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half to lead 3-1. Gayoski cut the deficit to one at the 63:16 mark when she blasted a shot past the Bulldog keeper after Lauren Shiplett (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) found her off a penalty corner.
 
Wilkes had one last chance at tying the game with under two minutes left earning a corner attempt, but DeSales was able to clear the ball and hold on for the semifinal victory.
 
DeSales held a 10-5 shot advantage while garnering 11 penalty corners to Wilkes' eight attempts.
 
Dallas Kendra (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) finished with seven saves in goal for the Colonels.