WILKES-BARRE, PA (February 21, 2019) – Freshman Jen O'Connor posted eight points in her first collegiate game as the King's College women's lacrosse team exploded offensively in a 22-9 win over visiting Gwynedd Mercy University in non-conference action from McCarthy Stadium Thursday afternoon.

The Monarchs (1-0) were strong from the start, and wouldn't let up offensively as King's scored the seventh-most goals in a game in program history. Freshman Bailey Jordan scored 1:25 into the game unassisted for her first career goal, followed by sophomore Kylie McCarthy's first of the day to give King's a 2-0 lead. Just over three minutes later, sophomore Emma Lehman tallied unassisted to put the Monarchs up 3-0.

Gwynedd Mercy (0-1) got on the board with an unassisted tally with 19:39 to go in the first half, and the two teams traded goals to make it 4-2 with 11:54 to play in the first 30 minutes. The Monarchs proceeded to go on a 5-0 run featuring first collegiate goals from O'Connor and Emily Sims to push King's ahead by seven at 9-2.

After Gwynedd Mercy got a goal back, McCarthy tallied back-to-back strikes just before halftime to make it an 11-3 score going into the intermission. The Griffins pulled to within five right after halftime at 13-8 following the first goal of the game by Victoria Mollitor, but Mary Kate Klodarska struck with help from O'Connor to start a four-goal run by the Monarchs capped by Sims' second of the day.

King's would post back-to-back man-up goals thanks to Lehman and Klodarska separated by 88 seconds to make it a 19-9 game, and freshmen Natasha Koslop, Sims and O'Connor put a bow on the game with three more to set the final score line.

O'Connor finished with three goals and five assists for eight points Thursday, also posting a team-high nine draw controls. Klodarska led all goal scorers with a career-high five tallies, also setting up two goals while leading the team with 10 shots. McCarthy was also outstanding, finished with career-bests of four goals and six points, leading the team with six ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Lehman would post three goals for the Monarchs, needing only four shots in addition to her three ground balls, while junior captain Kelly Pierce tallied four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Koslop finished with two goals and three draw controls to finish her first career game, and Sims added three goals, two ground balls and three draw controls.

The defense was also solid for the Monarchs, as Jennifer Smalley and Mia Dardanelli stood tall while forcing teams into tough shots. Those shots were for the most part stopped by sophomore Orla Cottell, who made 10 saves in the win. King's outshot the Griffins 38-19, while posting a 23-10 edge in draw controls. King's also was 16-of-19 on clears as well, adding a 25-16 ground ball edge.

Laura Pelczar posted three goals for the Griffins, while Victoria Braeunle finished with a team-high nine shots while adding a goal, six ground balls, four caused turnovers and five draw controls.

King's is back in action Saturday on the road in Madison, NJ, taking on Drew University in more non-conference play.