EDWARDSVILLE, PA (October 22, 2019) --- The King's College men's soccer team played Wilkes University to a 1-1 draw on wet Tuesday evening at Bruggeworth Field in Edwardsville in a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) contest.

Playing much of the 110 minutes during a rain storm the Monarchs (11-4-1, 2-2-1 MAC Freedom) once again outshot and controlled possession for much of the contest but host Colonels (6-6-3, 1-3-1 MAC Freedom) had a quick response to KC's early goal and then hung on for a draw. Both teams earned one point in the conference standings with two matches remaining.

The Monarchs came out strong as Alastair Dinnan had a shot blocked in the second minute. A minute later KC would get on the board when Pat Holton intercepted an attempted clear on the right side. The sophomore dribbled to the top of the box and sent a cross to the left side to Dinnan who one-timed the ball past the Colonel keeper and inside the right post for his second goal of the season and his seventh of his career. The assist was Holton's first of the season and second of his career.

The Colonels responded right back a little under a minute later when a shot by Nicholas Gaydos from 30 yards out deflected off a Monarch defender and into the back of the net. Both teams had opportunities over the next 20 minutes of play but neither team was able to score the go-ahead goal. Nik Verma nearly gave the Monarchs the lead in the 38th minute with a laser from just outside the box on the right side sailed just high of the net. Wilkes, who tried catching the Monarch on counter attacks all night, had a great opportunity on one in the 42nd minute when Marc Kyriakidis got behind the defenders and went one on one with an approaching Connor McKeown. The junior keeper made an excellent save knocking the ball over the goal line for a corner kick to keep the match tied going into halftime.

King's had plenty of chances in the second half as they controlled possession and put a lot of pressure on the Colonel defense. In the 58th minute Dinnan's shot from the top of the box just sailed high. A minute later Aidan Oyler put an attempt wide right and then August Axtman had his shot blocked. Verma had another great opportunity in the 76th minute on a counterattack but the WU keeper got his hands on the shot to setup a corner kick. On the corner Dylan Ramage found Massa in the box for a header that was saved by Zach Tone in net. Massa had a great opportunity in the 80th minute as he intercepted a goal kick with no one in between him and the keeper. The senior forward unleashed a shot from the top of the box that was saved by Tone. KC kept the pressure on, and David Crowley nearly gave them a last-minute goal with a shot from the left side that Tone grabbed with 44 seconds remaining.

In the first extra session King's completely controlled possession with Massa having two shots blocked in the opening minute. Verma had the only shot on goal of the period with his 95th minute attempt being saved. In the 97th minute freshman Justin DeCoteau came inches away from ending the match with a curving attempt from the right side that just sailed high of the upper left corner. Wilkes was able to gain momentum in the second session but neither shot they attempted made it to McKeown as the match ended in a draw.
King's held a big 22-11 shot advantage while both teams had seven shots on goal. The Monarchs took four corner kicks compared to three for the Colonels. Massa led KC with seven shots while Dinnan had five and Verma took four. McKeown equaled his career high with six saves in net.

King's still controls their destiny in qualifying for the MAC Tournament sitting fourth in the conference standings with two matches left. The first of those two will be on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm match against Misericordia University. It will be KC's final home regular season match of the year and prior to kickoff the team will recognize their seven seniors. The Cougars currently are third in the standings with 11 points. A win over MU could clinch a postseason berth on Saturday for King's depending on the results of the other matches.