SEPTEMBER 22, 2017

KING'S FIELD HOCKEY WINS CONFERENCE OPENER WITH 3-2 OT WIN OVER MANHATTANVLLE

WILKES-BARRE -- Sarah Zbierski scored the game winning goal just 3:12 into overtime as the defending champion King's College field hockey team posted a 3-2 victory over visiting Manhattanville College in the MAC Freedom Conference opener for both teams Friday night at McCarthy Stadium.

With the win King's improved to 2-5 while Manhattanville slipped to 1-7.

King's opened the scoring just 2:20 into the game when Kelsey Gabriele scored off an assist from Kelley O'Keefe. But Manhattanville quickly countered with a goal by Emily Antinozzi on a breakway only 0:53 later. 

The Valiants took a 2-1 lead when Antinozzi struck net on a rebound with 26:48 left in the second half. But King's scored the equalizer with 11:48 to play in regulation when Gabriele tallied her second score on a penalty stroke.

The teams entered overtime where Manhattanville was unable to score on an early chance, setting up Zbierki's heroics as she redirected a blocked shot into the Valiant goal to secure the victory. The goal was the first of Zbierski's career.

Manhattanville outshot King's by a slim 14-12 margin while the teams were tied 8-8 in penalty corners. Monarch goalie Kayla Nailor made six saves in net while Valiant keeper Kaitlin Halloran had four stops.

King's returns to the field Sunday with a 1:00 PM game at Marywood University in Scranton