WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 29, 2018) – Senior Kelsey Gabriele scored the game's lone goal in the 25^th minute and the King's College defense made the goal stand up as the Monarch field hockey team earned a 1-0 Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom win over Misericordia University in play from Betzler Field in McCarthy Stadium.

King's got the first good chance in the second minute, as Jolee Treslar had an attempt that was stopped at 1:45 by MU netminder Katelyn Campbell. The game stayed in the midfield for the next 10 minutes before Misericordia got the contest's first penalty corner, but a shot by Brynn Lansenderfer was stopped by Monarch keeper Brianne Maluda.

The next chance for King's would be the opening tally, as Gabriele gathered the ball on the right side of the circle and tucked it inside the far post for the 1-0 lead at 24:15 of the game. It was Gabriele's sixth goal of the season, as she posted her 90^th career point on the score.

KC would get two penalty corners right before halftime, but couldn't get a shot off, taking a 1-0 edge into halftime. Misericordia had a slight 3-2 lead in shots in the opening half, while the visitors also posted five penalty corners to the Monarchs' two.

After the intermission, visiting Misericordia came out and took the half's first four shots but all were fended off by Maluda to keep King's in front. The Monarchs transitioned down the field and nearly made the game 2-0 on a Rachel Zultevicz attempt in the 55^th minute, but it was denied by Campbell.

The host Monarchs kept the pressure on, earning the next three penalty corners but managed to get just one shot in the 60^th minute as a Hannah Robbins attempted was blocked. The Cougars were awarded a penalty corner in the 63^rd minute, but once again the King's defense stymied MU before it could get a shot off. With under two minutes to play, King's again surrendered a corner but was able to hold MU without a shot, securing the strong defensive win Saturday.  

MU held an 8-4 shot edge on the contest, while also earning 11 penalty corners to the seven of King's. Three of the Monarch's attempts were on goal, forcing Campbell into three saves. Maluda posted her fourth solo shutout and fifth team clean sheet of the season, making five stops in the win.

The 2-0 start in conference play for the Monarchs marked the third time in the last four seasons that the Monarchs have earned started with back-to-back wins to open MAC Freedom play.
King's is in action tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m., hosting Marywood University for Senior Day in McCarthy Stadium.