CLEARWATER, FL (March 6, 2019) -- The King's College women's lacrosse team started play down in Florida Wednesday afternoon from the Clearwater Sports Complex, but couldn't get things going as the Monarchs dropped their first of two games in the Sunshine State to the United States Merchant Marine Academy 18-3 in non-conference action. 

The Mariners (2-0) scored the first four goals of the game over the first 10:40 before King's (1-3) got on the board on an unassisted, short-handed tally by freshman Jen O'Connor right off a draw control win. USMMA answered with five goals thanks to dominant circle play on starts but King's pulled to within seven at 9-2 heading into halftime on a nice goal from Brianna Raucci off a strong feed from O'Connor. After halftime, Meredith Willard scored with 27:55 to go in the game but the tally was immediately answered as O'Connor won the draw and set up fellow newcomer Emily Sims for the goal. 

That was all the Monarchs would get though, as the Mariners finished the game on a eight-goal run to pull away. O'Connor played a part in all three goals for King's, adding six shots, five draw controls and two ground balls. Junior Kelly Pierce played well defensively with four caused turnovers and five ground balls, while Emma Lehman also tallied three draw controls for the Monarchs. The Monarchs also got 12 stops in net from sophomore netminder Orla Cottell. 

USMMA posted a 37-16 shot edge on the day, earning a 14-9 edge in draw controls as well. The Mariners also were very aggressive offensively, being awarded 11 free position chances. Willard had a game-high five goals on nine shots for Merchant Marine, while Jessie Wohner and Grace McHugh finished with four and three goals, respectively. Jessica Reilly added a goal and assist along with a game-leading seven draw controls. 

King's is back in action on Friday morning, taking on No. 19 St. John Fisher College at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, FL.