ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Late-game heroics were on full display as the Cedar Crest College field hockey team rallied for a 2-1 victory over King's College (Pa.) in a non-conference tilt on Friday afternoon at the FalconPlex to begin the 2023 season.

After a scoreless first half, the Monarchs were the first to find the back of the cage in the third quarter on a marker from first-year Melanie Tlatenchi (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) in the 43^rd minute to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. First-year Shaylee Heffron (Plymouth, Pa.) picked up the assist on the tally.

The home team scored a pair of goals over a span of 1:47 to come away with the triumph.

The Falcons recorded the equalizer in the 58^th minute when senior Adriana Hinkle (Palmerton, Pa./Homeschooled (played for Lehighton)) deposited a goal off an assist from sophomore Olivia Horninger (Friedens, Pa./Northern Lehigh) to make the score, 1-1.

Cedar Crest registered the game-winner with just 20 second remaining in regulation when Hinkle sent the ball diagonally to connect with junior Zakiyyah Sabir (Philadelphia, Pa./Philadelphia E&T). After one touch, Sabir took a shot and beat King's junior goalkeeper Grace Venis (Hillsborough, N.J.) low to put the Falcons in front and sent the home team to the 2-1 win.

First-year goalkeeper Kadee Schrader (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) recorded nine saves in the triumph for the Falcons. Venis made one save in the loss.

The Monarchs held a 16-7 advantage in shots while Cedar Crest held the edge in corners, 9-8.

Cedar Crest (1-0 overall) begins a three-game road trip on at Gwynedd Mercy University on Tuesday, September 5 at 4:00 p.m. King's (0-1 overall) will host Keystone College in its home opener on Sunday, September 3 at 1:00 p.m.

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