WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 31, 2026) -- The King's College field hockey team ended its season with a huge win over Lebanon Valley College on Saturday night, defeating the Flying Dutchmen 3-2 at McCarthy Stadium for its first Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Freedom victory since 2022. The victory also marked head coach Kirby Szalkowski's first conference win of her coaching career and the first time the Monarchs have defeated the Dutchmen in program history.

The last time the Monarchs won a conference matchup was October 15, 2022, on the road against Delaware Valley University, when they defeated the Aggies 2-0. With the win, the Monarchs finish the season 2-16 overall and 1-7 in the MAC Freedom, while the Dutchmen fall to 11-6 overall and 3-4 in conference play.

The game also served as the final collegiate contest for seniors Allie Chocallo, Melanie Tlatenchi, Elizabeth Samuel, Davina Krappa, Megan Harry, Shaylee Heffron, Abbey Grulke, Ella Hughes and Sophia Pettinelli, who made significant contributions to the program over the past few seasons.

The Dutchmen opened the game with a pair of shots that went wide of the cage. The Monarchs opened the scoring at 12:39 minute when Megan Harry capitalized on a rebound after the goalkeeper deflected the initial shot from Shaylee Heffron, giving King's a 1-0 lead. The goal marked Harry's first of the season and her first since scoring against Drew University at home in 2023.

Seconds later, Lebanon Valley responded with a shot, but the Monarchs' first-year goalkeeper, Tierney Hogan, made the save. Entering the second quarter, the Dutchmen continued to apply pressure, recording two more shots in the 19th minute, both of which were stopped by Hogan. At 19:36, Lebanon Valley found the back of the cage to tie the game at 1-1.

The Dutchmen continued their attack in the 21st minute, firing another shot at Hogan at 20:35, which she saved, before finding the back of the net to take a 2-1 lead. The Monarchs responded with a penalty corner at 22:21. First-year Julia Behnke took the corner and passed to first-year Gwen Erb, whose shot was stopped by the Lebanon Valley defense. Davina Krappa collected the rebound and found the back of the net for her second goal of the season, tying the game at 2-2.

The Dutchmen continued to threaten the Monarchs with another shot at 25:48, but Hogan made the save. The visitors had one final opportunity to take the lead before halftime when they were awarded a penalty corner. Following the insertion, Lebanon Valley recorded another shot, but Hogan made the stop. The save additionally marked the 200th of Hogan's career.

Lebanon Valley opened the third quarter with multiple shots, all of which went wide of the cage or were stopped by Hogan. At 42:38, Allie Chocallo made a key defensive save to keep the game tied at 2-2. Just moments later at 43:23 , Erb scored on a solo breakaway to give the Monarchs a 3-2 lead. The goal marked Erb's fourth of the season.

The Monarchs controlled the game for the remainder of the contest, maintaining possession and limiting the Dutchmen's opportunities. King's recorded seven shots and four penalty corners in the fourth quarter. When the final whistle blew, the Monarchs secured the 3-2 victory.

Hogan finished the night with nine saves as Lebanon Valley outshot King's 21-13, including a 12-11 advantage in shots on goal. King's recorded 10 team saves compared to Lebanon Valley's eight, while the Dutchmen held a 7-6 advantage in penalty corners. Melanie Tlatenchi and Behnke led the Monarchs with three shots apiece.

--MONARCHS--