WILKES-BARRE, Pa. -- The Elmira College field hockey team opened the 2019 campaign in fine fashion on Friday evening, as the Soaring Eagles (1-0) dispatched the Monarchs of King's College (Pa.) (0-1) by a final score of 2-1.

In addition to starting the season off on the right foot, the win doubled as the first victory for EC under the tutelage of first-year head coach Jessica Franklin.

Despite being outshot 31-5, the Soaring Eagles were lethal in front of goal when opportunities arose. Following a scoreless opening quarter, as the two sides found their rhythm, Elmira struck first in the second period of action. After a string of passes through the midfield, senior Emily Selbert '20 rifled a pass across the mouth of the Monarchs' cage. Freshman Sarah Griffith '23 wasted little time, as the first-year talent redirected the pass for the first goal of her collegiate career.

EC's advantage didn't last long however, as King's responded 10 minutes later as the opening half wound to a close. The Monarchs' Hannah Robbins was able to sneak a shot past senior goalkeeper Tina O'Donnell '20, as the ball took an unlucky deflection off of a player.

Following the halftime break, the two sides traded shots before the Soaring Eagles took the lead for good at the 39-minute mark. The Purple and Gold earned a penalty corner following a defensive miscue by King's. Following the insert from Liz Shephard '21, Janie Kempf '21 laid the ball off to Selbert, who rifled home a laser of a shot to give Elmira a 2-1 advantage.

The Soaring Eagles' defense stood tall from there, as EC held the Monarchs to just four shots the rest of the way to seal the season-opening win. In the cage, O'Donnell amassed 16 saves to secure the victory.

In her own words...
Head Coach Jessica Franklin on the team's performance in this evening's win...
"The team really came together and worked on our small passing game," Franklin said. "It really put us a skill-set ahead and you can tell that the girls mesh together well on the field."

Franklin on starting the year off with a win...
"It's great to start the season on a good foot with a win," said Franklin. "We still want to continue to improve, but it's great to see our hard work from preseason pay off."

Franklin spoke on earning her first win in charge of the Soaring Eagles...
"It's an incredible feeling to get this first win," Franklin stated. "It's a reassuring and rewarding feeling to see the girls on the field and implement we've been working on. I'm incredibly proud of this team."

News and Notes

• Elmira defeated King's in its season opener for the second consecutive season.
• Griffith's goal was the first of her career.
• Holly Karalus '21 was credited with a defensive save.
• Selbert (1g-1a), a midfielder by trade, caged the sixth goal of her career.
• Dating back to last season, O'Donnell has registered double-digit saves in four consecutive games.

Up Next
The Soaring Eagles are back in action on Wednesday, September 4, when they travel to Oswego, New York, to battle the Lakers of Oswego State. The tilt is set for a 7:00 p.m. start.