GWYNEDD VALLEY, PA (September 5, 2018) – Host Gwynedd Mercy University scored three first half goals to defeat the King's College field hockey team 3-0 on Wednesday in Gwynedd Valley.

The Griffins opened up the scoring 2:27 into the game when Alyssa Tomsic found the back of the cage off a penalty corner. GMU put two more shots on goal within the next minute but Brianne Maluda kept them out of the cage. The Griffins, a 2017 NCAA Tournament qualifier, got off two more shots late in the seventh minute but Maluda saved the first shot before the King's defense blocked the second shot.

The Monarchs fought back to receive their first penalty corner of the game at the 12:39 mark but were unable to get a shot off. GMU received a penalty corner of their own at 16:47 with Kathryn Lehman's shot resulting in another save by Maluda. In the 21st minute Erika Cimino hit the post for the Griffins before Julia McKenzie increased the lead to 2-0 in the 26th minute off an assist by Allison Campbell.

Shannon Carroll tried to give GMU another goal late in the 28th minute but her first attempt was saved by Maluda and then her second attempt hit the post. McKenzie gave the Griffins a 3-0 halftime lead with an unassisted goal in the 30th minute.

In the second half the Monarchs held the Griffins without a shot until 40:16 when Maluda saved an attempt by Kaitlyn Lutz. The Monarchs then held GMU without another shot on goal until the 56th minute when Maluda saved a shot from Caitlyn Thornton. King's best opportunity to cut into the GMU lead came in the 59th minute when Rachel Zultevicz was able to get a shot off. However, Sarah Crane kept it out of the back of the cage

Julia McKenzie led the Griffins with two goals. Gwynedd Mercy held a 23-1 shot advantage while taking 14 penalty corners compared to King's three. Brianne Maluda made nine saves in 55:19 minutes of action in cage. Dervla Mcerlean made two saves in relief.

The Monarchs will be back in action on Saturday when they play their third straight road game to open up the season with a 1 p.m. start at Susquehanna University.