King's College Athletics

WILKES-BARRE, PA (September 9, 2026) -- An early strike by Joaquin Cedillo proved to be the difference-maker on Wednesday night, as the King's College men's soccer team picked up a 1-0 victory over Wilkes University at McCarthy Stadium. The Monarchs improve to 2-1-1 on the season, while the Colonels fall to 0-3.
 
King's wasted little time creating chances. Jackson Nuttall helped spark the game's deciding play in the fifth minute, creating space before Cedillo surged past a defender and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Cedillo calmly lifted his shot over the keeper's head and into the net at 4:15 for his second tally of the season, giving the Monarchs a 1-0 lead.
 
The Monarchs continued to press throughout the remainder of the first half. King's earned its first corner kick of the night at 13:19, and the ensuing service sailed just beyond the far post. Later in the half, Cedillo slipped a pass to Mark Atherton, whose one-touch effort flew high at 19:40. At 31:02, a shot from CJ Anderson was blocked in traffic shortly after a Monarch corner kick, and Cedillo nearly doubled the lead late in the half when he chased down a deep ball near the goal line and ripped a shot that was smothered by the Colonels' goalkeeper.
 
Wilkes pushed for an equalizer after halftime, but King's continued to generate opportunities. Just 47 seconds into the second half, Atherton met a free kick from near the 25-yard line with a header from close range, forcing a save by the Colonels' goalkeeper.
 
The visitors produced their best stretch midway through the second half. Following a pair of blocked shots in the box, Ben Van Valkenburg made the save of the night at 55:50, diving to his left to stop a point-blank attempt and preserve the Monarch lead. Van Valkenburg made another crucial play in the 73rd minute, stepping forward to secure a dangerous ball before a cross could develop inside the penalty area.
 
King's finished with an 18-9 advantage in shots and a 4-3 edge in corner kicks. Cedillo led all players with eight shots, including four on goal, while Atherton added four attempts and Anderson chipped in two shots. The Monarchs placed seven shots on target and consistently pressured the Wilkes defense throughout the evening.
 
Van Valkenburg recorded three saves to earn the shutout victory. King's was also strong defensively in front of him, limiting the Colonels to three shots on goal and preserving Cedillo's early strike as the difference.
 
The Monarchs return to action on Saturday, September 12 when they host Ithaca College under the McCarthy Stadium lights. First kick against the Bombers is slated for 7:00 p.m.