HOBOKEN, NJ (October 7, 2023) -- Junior goalkeeper Grace Venis set a new career-high while recording the fourth-most saves in program history, but her efforts came up short as the King's College field hockey team dropped their Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) opener on the road at Stevens, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon. With the setback, the Monarchs drop to 3-10 overall and 0-1 in the MAC Freedom, while the Ducks improve to 9-2 with a 1-0 conference mark.
 
King's (3-10, 0-1 MAC Freedom) battled through the first 15 minutes of the game, thwarting the first nine shots from the host Stevens (9-2, 1-0 MAC Freedom). The Ducks broke through off a penalty corner shot from the top of the box with 39 seconds to go in the quarter to hold a 1-0 advantage after the first. It was a similar story in the second as the Monarchs defense continued to hold the Ducks attack at bay, but a last-stitch effort off a rebounded shot with one tick on the game clock pushed the Stevens lead to 2-0 at the break.
 
Stevens increased their lead in the third, scoring in the 34^th minute then again with three seconds remaining in the quarter to push their edge to 4-0. It was a quick fourth quarter as neither team found their stride as the King's field hockey team fell, 4-0, in their MAC Freedom opener in Hoboken on Saturday afternoon.
 
Venis tallied 23 saves in the complete-game effort, setting her new career-high, while Marisa Canouse posted a shot for the offense. Additionally, Davina Krappa and Melanie Tlatenchi each recorded a defensive save in the loss.
 
Lynda Fairnella led the Ducks with a goal and an assist on a team-high seven shots with five on target. Three different goalkeepers saw action to combine for the shutout for Stevens.
 
King's returns to Wilkes-Barre, Pa. to host FDU-Florham in their home MAC Freedom opener on Wednesday, October 11. Action is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium.