WILKES-BARRE, PA (August 28, 2019) – The King's College field hockey team had a dream season in 2016, advancing through the Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) playoffs before defeating FDU-Florham in the title game to earn a berth to the NCAA Championships. It was the third title for the Monarchs in an 11-year period, cementing King's as one of the top programs in the region. 

Three years later, only one player from that team remains, as lone senior Jennifer Smalley is the lasting legacy of that squad. Over the last two seasons, King's has failed to qualify for the postseason MAC Freedom Tournament, missing out on the festivities by a game in each year. The connection though to that 2016 squad is important though, as Smalley can relay to this young and inexperienced squad about what it will take to get back to that spot. 

Inexperience will be the theme early in the year for the Monarchs, as they welcome in 10 new players to a squad that graduated seven players last May, while two players stepped away due their immergence in the physician's assistant program. Among those nine players, seven were full-time starters including the team's leading goal scorer in All-MAC Freedom Second Team honoree Kelsey Gabriele. King's also graduated two players in each of the forward, midfield and defensive spots, but wit that comes opportunity for some new players to step in while others will have an expanded role. 

King's does have important cogs back in all spots of the field, including Smalley, while All-MAC Freedom performer Hannah Robbins is back for her sophomore season after starting all 19 games as a freshman. Offensively, the Monarchs will look for Jolee Treslar to take on the lead role as scorer after the departure of Gabriele.  Along with that, leadership will be important for a group that will only return four upperclassmen that were on the squad last year. 

Among that group is junior Brianne Maluda, who was the starting goalkeeper and one of the best options in the conference a year ago. Maluda, along with fellow juniors Bailey DeLellis and Danielle Runo, will be asked to guide a group that will look to surprise some people in the conference after being picked to finish seventh in the 2019 MAC Freedom Preseason Coaches Poll. 

The Monarchs aren't without talent though, featuring some new talented freshmen along with getting some reinforcements from the King's women's lacrosse team. The crossover for field hockey and lacrosse is evident this season, as seven players listed on the field hockey roster will also suit up in the spring for lacrosse.

Head coach Martha Kerrick is back for the fourth season after taking over for longtime head coach Cheryl Ish, and is looking to pick up her second MAC Freedom title in four years. After speaking with many players on the squad, the vibe this preseason has been upbeat, and the newcomers have gelled well into team. If chemistry is any indication, this team could be back to where it was in 2016. Position-by-position preview below:

FORWARDS
Offensively last season, King's struggled to net goals but when it did the results were strong. King's went 6-2 last season when scoring two or more goals, but only accomplished that feat in eight of 19 games. The Monarchs only had five players score on the season, and four of the five have since departed.

The lone returner in the forward group is Treslar, who finished second on the team in goals with six while leading the team in assists with four. She was second in game-winning goals with two, while finishing with 21 shots on goal. The speedy Treslar has the skill and ability to make plays happen on the wings, and with more opportunities in front of goal this season, look for her numbers to grow as well. 

The Monarchs do return some players up front that gained valuable experience, as sophomore Bailey Jordan played in all 19 games off the bench for King's. Jordan took eight shots last season, putting seven on cage, and with more attempts this year look for her to become on of the leaders offensively for King's. 

Also, back are a pair of juniors in Runo and DeLellis, as the pair combined to play in 30 games in 2018. DeLellis posted an assist while earning one start in her sophomore campaign, while Runo played in 14 games with one start. Both will have a larger role in 2018, as will returning sophomore Lexi Prowker. Prowker gave King's some solid minutes in her 16 games as a freshman last year, and her high field hockey IQ and athleticism will come in handy. 

Sophomore Mary Wynkoop dealt with injuries most of her freshman season, but will also look to help this year offensively. King's will also look to a pair of newcomers, as freshman Sara Whitesell and sophomore Abbie Vaxmonsky each will look for time. Vaxmonsky is a local product from Pittston Area High School, and was an All-Wyoming Valley Conference player. Whitesell is also from the area, playing her prep field hockey at Hanover Area.

MIDFIELDERS
The midfield group could be one of the most dynamic for the Monarchs this year, but as is the theme with every other group it will have to deal with replacing a major part of it. Starters Maryrose Mauro, Connie Mangino and Natalie Muscatell have departed, but Robbins is back to serve as the playmaker and engine in the middle for King's this season. 

The Pittston, PA native was everything that the Monarchs could have wanted out of a freshman in 2018, as she was steady and solid in her 19 starts. Robbins posted three assists, but her calming influence and ability to help switch fields and transition from offense to defense was key. It will be just as important this year, as she takes on an even bigger roll. 

Robbins is the lone returning in the midfield though for King's, and so it will be on the shoulders of some fresh faces to make an impact. Luckily, the Monarch staff is excited about the prospects of some of the newcomers. Sophomore Lauren Rowski took a year away from field hockey, but is back and looking very strong thus far in preseason. Rowski played at local field hockey power Crestwood High School, and was an All-WVC player. She should immediately help the midfield for King's this season. 

Freshman Jessie Smalley has been strong as well for King's, as she will switch between forward and midfield this year. The gritty younger sister of Jennifer, Jessie is athletic, tough and can win battles all over the field. She will be a strong addition to the lineup this year. 

Freshman Vivian Williams is one of the better athletes on the squad, and she will use her length and athleticism to help the midfield as well as forward this year for King's. Junior Emma Lehman is one of the women's lacrosse players exchanging sticks for King's, and her motor and work ethic should translate to the field hockey pitch. 

Sophomore Emily Sims played at one of the best field hockey programs in the nation in Wyoming Seminary, lettering for three seasons before joining King's as a women's lacrosse player. Sims has picked up the field hockey stick this season, and will help the midfield along with her defensive duties. Sims is a stalwart athletically, and her pace and grit should be among the best on the squad. 

Fellow sophomore Annie Ryan will be another jack of all trades this season for King's, as she played in 17 of the 19 games last year. Ryan can be used up and down the field, and her responsible play and consistency will be a welcomed addition to the lineup. Emily Dreyfus, a high school teammate of Rowski, will also look to carve out a role for King's this season.

DEFENSE
The defensive group will have a lot of crossover with the midfielders, as many of the groups will play both positions during the year. Jennifer Smalley is the lone returning starter from last year, and she will once again play a large role in stopping opposing defenses. Smalley picked up one defensive save last year, starting all 19 games. 

Sims and Ryan will play some defense for the Monarchs as well this season, and Prowker will also slot in on defense from time to time this year. Sophomore Kristen Mahon dealt with injuries during the lacrosse season, but is healthy again and will bolster the defensive unit for the Monarchs. Mahon has a high defensive IQ and is rarely in the wrong spot on the field. 

Freshman Angelina Marchozzi will also give the Monarchs depth on the defensive side of the field as a stay at home defender. 

In goal, the Monarchs will depend on Maluda to hold down the fort this season after she started 17 games last year as a sophomore. Maluda made 78 saves last season, stopping nearly 70 percent of the shots on target. 

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The Monarchs will get their season started on Friday evening at 7 pm in McCarthy Stadium, looking to avenge a 4-1 loss to Elmira College last season.