EDWARDSVILLE, PA (September 19, 2023) -- The King's College field hockey knotted the score with a pair of fourth-quarter goals, but a diving defensive effort came up just short as the host Wilkes University defeated the Monarchs, 3-2, in overtime on Tuesday night in non-conference play. With the heartbreaking loss, the Monarchs fall to 0-7, while the Colonels improve to 5-2.
 
The King's (0-7) defense was firing on all cylinders from the start, thwarting six early opportunities from the Colonels as the game remained scoreless after the opening 15 minutes. Off their first penalty corner of the second, Wilkes (5-2) finally broke through and found the back of the cage to put the hosts ahead, 1-0, with 10:40 to go in the half. Junior Emma Clark stormed down the field and fired off a shot that was saved by the Colonels' goalkeeper with 52 seconds to play in the half as the Monarchs trailed, 1-0, at the break.
 
Wilkes tacked on another score in the 40^th minute, pushing their advantage to 2-0 through three periods, but it would be a thrilling fourth-quarter effort that kept the game alive.
 
King's came out with a vengeance in the fourth, using a penalty corner in the 52^nd minute to set up their first goal in the game as senior Jessie Smalley found Clark for the score with 5:18 left.
 
The visitors would not take their foot off the pedal as first year Shaylee Heffron got a nice entry pass from senior Ashley Thalassinos as the ball was worked around off a penalty corner and tipped in at the near post to tie the game, 2-2, with 5:32 to play. The Monarchs defense came in clutch again, blocking a Colonels shot with 2:16 remaining as the game was destined for the overtime period.
 
The intensity was heightened in the overtime period with both teams getting a good look at the cage in a 30-second span, but both goalkeepers kept the game tied. Wilkes took advantage of a Monarch misstep as a ball went through the goalie pads and snuck past a diving Thalassinos, handing the Monarchs the 3-2 overtime loss in the non-conference contest at Schmidt Stadium.
 
Clark recorded a goal on a team-high two shots, while Thalassinos put up an assist with two shots. Both Smalley and Heffron collected points with their play in the contest, and Grace Venis posted eight saves in 67 minutes of work.
 
Three different Colonels scored in the win, led by Morgan Hermanofski with a goal on three shots, including two on target. Goalkeeper Carly Eidle made three saves in the win.
 
As a team, the Monarchs were efficient as they tallied their two goals on seven shots with five on the cage. Additionally, King's held the edge in shots in the fourth quarter, out shooting Wilkes 4-1.
 
The Monarchs will return to McCarthy Stadium for a five-game home stand beginning on Thursday evening. King's will host Marywood University at 7:00 p.m. in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.