SEPTEMBER 1, 2017

KING'S FIELD HOCKEY OPEN SEASON FRIDAY AGAINST 3RD RANKED SALISBURY

WILKES-BARRE — The King's College field hockey team will enter the 2017 season looking to defend its Freedom Conference championship from a year ago.  The Monarchs will have an opportunity to test themselves early when King's opens their campaign Friday against NCAA Division III power Salisbury University at the Misericordia University Invitational at Manglesdorf Field in Dallas.

Under the guidance of second-year head coach Martha Kerrick, King's will square off against Salisbury at 5:00 PM in a battle of teams that reached the Division III national tournament a year ago.  Salisbury, which finished 18-2 before losing in the national tournament semi-finals 1-0 to Tufts UNiversity in 2016, enter the year ranked third in the nation.

King's, meanwhile, went 13-7 a year ago and won the Freedom Conference title as the second seed. The Monarchs fell 2-1 to eighth-ranked Franklin & Marshall in their NCAA opener.  The Monarchs will then return to Manglesdorf Field Saturday to face a quality Gwynedd-Mercy University squad at 1:00 PM. Gwynedd was 13-6 and placed second in the Colonial States Athletic Conference.

King's will field a veteran squad with 20 returning players, including 8-of-11 starters and four All-Freedom Conference selections

Leading the list of returnees is senior forward Brianna DiMaggio who led the team in scoring last season with 33 points on 15 goals and three assists while earning first-team All-Freedom Conference honors. DiMaggio, who scored King's lone goal in the NCAA tournament loss to F&M a year ago, has 79 career points.

Junior forward Kelsey Gabriele is also back and was second on the squad with 29 points on 11 goals and a team-high seven assists. Gabriele was named a second-team All-Freedom selection. Senior forward Selina Malacari also returns after posting 15 points on six goals and three assists.  Other returning offensive players hoping to contribute include senior Anna Morgan and juniors Kelley O'Keefe, Rachel Zultevicz, and Molly Clewer.

Senior Anastasia Araviakis enters her fourth year as a starter while junior Devan Pepe started all 20 games last season. Other returning midfielders looking to contribute include juniors Natalie Muscatell and Connie Mangino, and sophomore Maryrose Mauro.

Returning to the defense is senior Sarah Zbierski, a second-team All-Freedom choice in 2016, who has played in 52 career games with 42 starts. Junior Symantha Sharon is one of the steadiest players on the team and has started all 39 games of her collegiate career. Other returning defenders include juniors Taylor Runo and Erika Martyn, along with sophomores Xzyla Russell, Haley Murphy, and Jennifer Smalley.  

Freshmen looking to factor in offensively include Bailey DeLellis, Kendra Krolick, and Danielle Runo. Rookie defenders include Elise Johnston and Chloe Rizzo.

The biggest question mark for King's will be in goal where All-Freedom pick Paige Tedik graduated.  The freshmen trio of Brianne Maluda, Kayla Nailor, and Charlene Weiner are all battling for the starting role.

King's will play an 18-game regular-season as well as seven-match Freedom Conference slate. The Monarchs open up league play September 22 at home against Manhattanville. The team's annual Alumni Game will be held September 23. KIng's will make its home debut September 9 against Susquehanna University.