WILKES-BARRE, PA (August 30, 2019) -- The King's College field hockey team dominated possession, along with most statistical categories, but a third quarter penalty corner goal from Elmira College lifted the visiting Soaring Eagles past the Monarchs 2-1 in the 2019 season opener from McCarthy Stadium in Robert Betzler Athletic Complex. 

The Monarchs would come out of the gates fast in the opening period, outshooting their New York opponents 15-0 in the first quarter including eight shots on goal. Unfortunately for King's, Elmira senior goalkeeper Tina O'Donnell was able to stop seven shots while also getting some help from her defenders. 

In the fifth minute, King's had a great chance thanks to some strong circle play from sophomore Hannah Robbins, who fired a shot on goal forcing an O'Donnell save. The ball would stay in the circle, and Danielle Runo looked to have put the Monarchs ahead but defender Holly Karalus swooped in to push the shot off the line. 

King's continued to push forward but would be unable to dent the scoreboard, sending the game to the second quarter scoreless. The Soaring Eagles would have their first real attack early in the second, and took advantage of it as Sarah Griffith tipped in a cross from Emily Selbert at 16:22 of the contest to put EC up 1-0. 

The hosts would regroup and put the pressure back on Elmira, but three straight shots from junior forward Jolee Treslar were denied by O'Donnell. King's would finally break through in the 28th minute on a fluky goal, as Robbins ended up credited with the tally. On the play, Robbins beat two defenders and sent the ball across the goal mouth, where it was deflected by a defender into the left corner of the net. The score was Robbins first collegiate goal, as she finished with three assists as a freshman. 

The game would head to halftime deadlocked at one, as KC held a 23-2 shot advantage along with a 5-1 penalty corner edge. Early on in the second half, Selbert would put the Soaring Eagles up for good on a well designed penalty corner. After receiving the insert, Selbert worked a give-and-go with Janie Kempf to pick up her second point of the night. 

King's would continue to push and had chances through the last 30 minutes, but the Monarchs wouldn't be able to capitalize on their eight second-half corners. KC had two penalty corners in the final minute, but a Robbins shot attempt was blocked giving the Soaring Eagles the win. The victory for EC (1-0) marked the first collegiate win for head coach Jessica Franklin. 

Treslar led King's in shot attempts on the night with seven, including putting five on goal, while Robbins fired five shots as well. Sophomore Bailey Jordan also had four shots for King's, which ended up outshooting Elmira 31-5. King's also posted a 13-2 edge in penalty corners. 

King's junior goalkeeper Brianne Maluda posted two stops Friday night, while O'Donnell finished with 16 in the victory. 

The Monarchs (0-1) are off for seven days before returning to action Saturday, September 7 at 1 p.m, hosting Susquehanna University in McCarthy Stadium.