WILKES-BARRE, PA. (October 27, 2026)
-- With its postseason hopes hanging in the balance, the King's College men's soccer team delivered a moment that will be remembered for years to come. First-year forward
Joaquin Cedillo found the back of the net with just 30 seconds remaining in regulation, lifting the Monarchs to a dramatic 1-0 victory over Delaware Valley University on Tuesday night at Betzler Field. The win clinched King's first MAC Freedom Championship appearance since 2021 and the program's first postseason berth under head coach Brandon Raynor, as the Monarchs improved to 7-7-4 overall while the Aggies fell to 6-5-5.
The Monarchs entered Tuesday's regular-season finale knowing what was at stake, with a victory needed to secure their place in the MAC Freedom Championship. Facing an Aggies squad that entered the contest at 6-5-4, King's put together a determined performance on its home field, combining defensive discipline, timely saves, and persistent attacking pressure. For a program that had gone without a conference victory last season, the opportunity to compete for a championship represented a significant step forward and a testament to the progress made under Raynor's leadership.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 90th minute after a tense, scoreless battle that appeared destined for overtime. With the clock winding down, Cedillo delivered the decisive moment at the 89:30 mark, sending a shot high into the right side of the net to put King's ahead, 1-0. First-year defender
Micah Tirado provided the assist, setting up the game-winning finish that sent the Monarchs sideline and home crowd into celebration. Cedillo's fourth goal of the season could not have come at a bigger moment, as the late strike officially punched King's ticket to the conference postseason.
For Cedillo, the game-winner capped an impactful first season with the Monarchs. The forward has emerged as an important attacking presence throughout the fall, providing King's with another scoring threat and the ability to change a game in a single moment. His fourth goal of the campaign was also his most consequential, transforming a tightly contested regular-season finale into a postseason-clinching victory. With the MAC Freedom Championship now on the horizon, Cedillo's continued contributions will be an important part of the Monarchs' push to extend their season.
The late goal was the culmination of an attacking effort that saw King's generate 15 shots, putting six on target while earning six corner kicks. The Monarchs tested Delaware Valley's goalkeeper throughout the contest, including a pair of attempts from Cedillo and
Costa Villano that required saves in the second half.
Cam Jones also forced a stop in the opening half, while
Aaron Gutkowski,
Mark Atherton,
Santiago Javadpour, and Tirado helped sustain the pressure as the game progressed. Despite several promising opportunities, the Monarchs remained patient until Cedillo finally found the opening they needed in the closing seconds.
While the offense continued searching for the breakthrough, the Monarchs' defensive unit remained composed against a Delaware Valley attack that managed 11 shots, including three on goal. King's limited the Aggies' opportunities to clear looks and responded when called upon, protecting its defensive third and preventing the visitors from finding the equalizer. The defensive performance was especially important in a match where a single mistake could have changed the postseason picture, and the Monarchs maintained their focus through the final whistle.
Junior goalkeeper
Ben Van Valkenburg once again played an instrumental role between the posts, finishing with three saves to record his fifth shutout of the season. Van Valkenburg has been a steady presence for King's throughout the fall, providing the confidence and consistency necessary to keep the Monarchs competitive in close contests. His ability to make timely stops and organize the defense has been central to the team's efforts all season, and Tuesday's clean sheet provided another example of his importance. With the stakes at their highest, Van Valkenburg delivered another composed performance, ensuring that Cedillo's late strike would be enough to secure the victory.
The shutout was also a fitting reflection of the collective defensive effort that has helped King's reach this point. The Monarchs surrendered only three shots on goal, with Van Valkenburg turning aside each attempt that reached him. Every defensive stop carried added significance as the clock ticked toward the end of regulation, and the back line held firm long enough for the offense to produce its defining moment. Once Cedillo scored, King's protected its advantage through the final seconds to officially secure the 1-0 result.
Tuesday's victory carries even greater significance when viewed against the backdrop of last season. The Monarchs did not win a conference game in 2025, making their return to the MAC Freedom postseason a substantial turnaround in just one year. Reaching the conference championship tournament for the first time since 2021 reflects the team's continued development, resilience, and ability to deliver in a must-win situation. Rather than allowing last season's struggles to define the program, King's responded with a campaign that has put the Monarchs back in the postseason conversation and given the team an opportunity to compete for a conference title.
Raynor's first postseason berth as head coach in his third season adds another milestone to the program's progress. Tuesday's result was not simply a win in the standings; it was the payoff for a team that remained in contention and rose to the occasion when its postseason hopes were on the line. From Cedillo's decisive finish to Van Valkenburg's fifth shutout, the Monarchs received the contributions they needed across the field to turn a high-pressure matchup into a historic night at Betzler Field.
King's now turns its attention to the postseason, carrying the momentum of a dramatic victory into the MAC Freedom Championship. Before the conference tournament begins, the Monarchs will return to Betzler Field for their Senior Night matchup, providing an opportunity to recognize the seniors who have helped shape the program while giving King's one more chance to build momentum heading into the postseason.
From a season without a conference victory to a place in the MAC Freedom Championship, the Monarchs have given themselves a chance to make an even bigger statement. Cedillo's last-minute finish and Van Valkenburg's dependable performance sealed the result, but the achievement belongs to a team that kept pushing toward its goal. For the first time since 2021, King's men's soccer is headed to the conference playoffs, and the Monarchs will host Alvernia in a non-conference Senior Night matchup on Saturday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m. at Betzler Field.
--MONARCHS--
