EDWARDSVILLE – Host Wilkes University scored eight consecutive goals over the third and fourth quarters to propel the Colonels to a 12-5 MAC Freedom victory over cross-town rival King's College Wednesday night at Schmidt Stadium.
 
With the win Wilkes improved to 6-5 overall and evens its conference record at 1-1. It also marked the first home conference victory under head coach Curtis Jaques. King's slipped to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in MAC Freedom play.
 
King's opened the scoring when Shawn Dickey scored unassisted. Wilkes answered when Nico Lorenzo (Howell, NJ/Howell) darted past two King's defenders finding the back of the net tying the game at one with 11:38 left in the first quarter.
 
Jeremy Kachel (Ephrata, PA/Ephrata) gave the Colonels its first lead of the contest scoring off a pass from John Wink (Glenside, PA/Abington) with 7:43 on the clock. Two straight Monarch goals gave the visitors the advantage back midway through the second stanza before John Luna (Valley Center, CA/Valley Center) drilled a shot past the King's goalie off another helper from Wink as the teams went to the break tied at three.
 
From there the Colonels stole momentum of the game scoring the contest's next seven goals to open a 10-3 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Kachel opened the third quarter taking a pass from Luna and found the back of the net to give Wilkes a 4-3 lead before the barrage started with goals from Kachel, Ruggiero (twice), Wink (three), Connor Daly (Oakhurst, NJ/Ocean Twp.) and Luna gave the Colonels all the breathing room necessary for the win.
 
Wink led all Wilkes attackers with six points on three goals and three assists. Ruggiero followed with five points on three goals and two helpers. Lorenzo finished with four points on two goals and two assists while Kachel added two strikes for the Colonels.
 
King's was paced by Shawn Dickey's three goals.
 
Carter Whittemore (Rochester, NY/West Irondequoit) enjoyed the finest game of his career making 17 saves including several point-blank stops to keep momentum on the Colonels side throughout. Matt Basile finished with five saves for King's in net.
 
Wilkes continues its MAC Freedom schedule Saturday hosting Manhattanville College at 1:00 p.m. at Schmidt Stadium.