EDWARDSVILLE, PA (April 3, 2019) -- Freshman Jen O'Connor scored five goals, adding four ground balls, four caused turnovers and 10 draw controls to lead the King's College women's lacrosse team to a 14-7 Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) victory over Wilkes University in play from Schmidt Stadium Wednesday. 

King's (4-8, 1-0 MAC Freedom) dominated the statistical categories on the game, outshooting the Colonels (6-3, 0-1 MAC Freedom) 41-19, while winning the ground ball total 34-26 and earning 18 of the games 23 draw controls. 

The Monarchs jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after the first 7:29 of the game, as O'Connor netted a pair of tallies while fellow freshman Emily Sims scored an unassisted strike. Wilkes responded with two goals to make it 3-2, but sophomore Emma Lehman took advantage of a man-up situation to score with 17 minutes to play to make it 4-2. 

A little over seven minutes later, O'Connor was awarded a free position attempt after a Kelly Pierce caused turnover and buried her shot to put King's up 5-2. Sophomore Kylie McCarthy kept the run going with first of two goals on the day, and Lehman followed with 3:42 remaining to make it 7-2 going into the halftime intermission. 

The hosts though wouldn't go away, pulling to within three at 8-5 with 16:01 to go in regulation after a Ashley Burkhardt tally. The two teams exchanged pairs of goals to make the score 10-7, but O'Connor scored eight seconds after a draw win followed by another Lehman strike to push the King's lead to 12-7. 

The run would continue for King's thanks to one of Wilkes' 16 turnovers on clear attempts, as junior Jennifer Smalley picked up a ground ball and the resulting possession ended in the fifth and final goal of the game for O'Connor. Sims would put a bow on the win with her second goal of the game to finish the scoring with 46 seconds to go. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Orla Cottell had a strong game, posting a 53.3 save percentage on the day while stopping eight Colonel shot attempts, adding two ground balls. Pierce had a strong day in front of Cottell, finishing with three caused turnovers and a season and game-high seven ground balls. Sophomore Helen Zaremba added two ground balls and two caused turnovers

Lehman netted her second straight hat trick and fourth of the season with three more goals Wednesday, and Sims contributed two goals, an assist, two ground balls and seven draw controls. McCarthy and classmate Mary Kate Klodarska each finished with two goals, and freshman Brianna Raucci added an assist. Every player for King's had at least one ground ball. 

Burkhardt finished with four goals, three ground balls and team-high 10 shots, and Sarah Carlini totaled 20 saves for the hosts. 

King's will now take on FDU-Florham at 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon in McCarthy Stadium in MAC Freedom action.