WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 23, 2024) -- Katey Shoemaker scored out of a late set piece, but the efforts came up shy as the King's College field hockey team fell, 5-1, to Misericordia University on Wednesday evening in Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom (MAC Freedom) play. With the loss at McCarthy Stadium, the Monarchs fall to 4-12 overall and 0-4 in the conference, while the Cougars improved to 5-10 and 1-3 in the MAC Freedom.
 
The King's (4-12, 0-4 MAC Freedom) defense thwarted an early penalty corner opportunity by Misericordia (5-10, 1-3 MAC Freedom) and a shot 5:34 into the first, but on just the second attempt of the game the Cougars found the back of the cage in the 10^th minute to go ahead, 1-0.
 
The Monarchs saw an opportunity at the goal 1:22 into the second, but Emma Clark's shot was saved by the Misericordia goalkeeper. Off a rebounded shot in the 19^th minute, the Cougars saw the ball swung around to find the stick of Celeste Hoffman to push their advantage to 2-0. The hosts had two more corners down the stretch but came up empty as they faced a 2-0 deficit at the break.
 
The team's traded early opportunities in the third, but the Cougars capitalized first in the frame on a goal by Lily Metress 9:22 into the period. The Monarchs returned fire as Melanie Tlatenchi and Reagan Joiner's shots were both blocked in the 40^th minute. Misericordia found the back of the cage once more in the frame with 1:12 left as the Monarchs trailed, 4-0, at the end of three.
 
King's brought the energy in the fourth, out shooting the Cougars 7-2 in the frame. Clark and Shaylee Heffron led the charge to start the quarter, but it was in the 51^st minute out of a penalty corner that the Monarchs got on the scoreboard. Tlatenchi inserted a penalty corner to Heffron who passed the ball to the top of the circle to a wide open Katey Shoemaker who rocketed the ball into the back of the cage to close within 4-1 with 8:43 remaining.
 
Despite late efforts, the Cougars fifth goal with 4:06 left to play sealed the deal as the Monarchs fell, 5-1, to Misericordia in the MAC Freedom contest on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Shoemaker scored her second goal of the season on her lone shot, while Heffron picked up a point with the assist. Clark led the offense with three shots, while both Heffron and Murray added two a piece. Hannah Hagan went the distance in the cage, totaling three saves.
 
Lily Metress led the Cougars with a pair of goals off a team-high six shots, while Ava Cirigliano, Celeste Hoffman, and Abigail O'Donnel all had a goal and assist a piece. Sarah Bogina got the win through the first 51:17, making five saves.
 
King's was narrowly edge in the shot margin for the game, 12-11, with six shots on goal. The Monarchs also had the advantage in penalty corners, beating out the Cougars 6-3 for the game.
 
The Monarchs will return to McCarthy Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they host Arcadia University in the MAC Freedom match up at 12:00 p.m. King's will also celebrate senior day prior to the contest.