WILKES-BARRE - The fifth-seeded Wilkes University field hockey team is set to travel to New Jersey for the first round of the Landmark Conference Tournament against the fourth-seeded Drew University Rangers Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

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Adults: $11

Minors (10-17): $6

Children (Under 10): Free

Landmark Students/Faculty: Free With Valid ID

It's the team's first appearance in the tournament since 2023, and they clinched their spot after a 3-1 road victory over Lycoming in the regular season finale on Wednesday. The Colonels earned the fifth seed with a 4-5 record in Landmark play and finished with a 9-10 overall record under third-year head coach Ashley Irwin.

On offense, the Colonels are led by a core of first-year players that have been crucial to their quick turnaround as four of their top five leaders in points are first years. Leading the charge Maddie Karp (Pittston, PA/Pittston Area) with her team-leading 26 points on 11 goals and five assists.

Alongside her are Taylor Bower (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg), Lydia Keppel (Whitehall, PA/Whitehall), and Taylor Minick (Reading, PA/Gov. Mifflin Senior). Bower has tallied 15 points this season on five goals and five assists, Keppel is right behind her with 11 points on three goals and five assists, and then Minick is tied for fourth in points with eight on four goals. Sophomore Emma Lautenbacher (Bangor, PA/Bangor) rounds out the top five with eight points as well with three goals and two assists. Other notable contributors on offense include Morgan Hermanofski (Shickshinny, PA/Northwest Area), Shaelyn Donnelly (Glassboro, NJ/GCIT), and Georgia Baskett (Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg) who have provided quality depth for the team all season long.

While the offense leans on the newcomers, it's the upperclassmen who have been the backbone of the defense. Seniors Cortney Keim (Trevorton, PA/Line Mountain) and Olivia Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Wyoming Valley West) have been mainstays on the defense for years and both are having great seasons. Keim is tied for third in the Landmark Conference in defensive saves with seven, while Gayoski is tied for sixth with four defensive saves. 

Lastly, there's goalkeeper Chloe Gilroy (Manchester, NH/Pace University) who's put together a phenomenal season in the net for Wilkes. The sophomore is the Landmark's leader in saves (151) and save percentage (.848), ranks second in saves per game (7.95), and third in goals against average (1.49). Gilroy's play has been the major reason for the Colonels ranking second in the Landmark in goals allowed as a team (1.60).

Drew earned the fourth seed with a 5-4 record in Landmark play and finished with an overall record of 13-5. The Rangers won their head-to-head matchup over the Colonels 2-0 on Oct. 15 at home.

The leader on offense for the Rangers is first-year Bella Fini. Fini leads all first years in the Landmark in points (33) and goals (14), and ranks fourth overall in both categories. Second place on the team in both categories is Emily Caporrino with 11 goals and four assists. Chandler Straub and Liriana Seferovic are also quality options for the Rangers with both players tallying seven goals in the regular season.

Drew's best defender is Carolyn Brown, who finished the season with four defensive saves to rank tied for sixth in the Landmark. Their starting goalkeeper is Kelly Beth, who enters this game with a goals against average of 2.32 and a save percentage of .756.

The winner of this game will move on to the Landmark Conference Tournament Semifinals to take on the No. 1 University of Scranton Royals on Wednesday, Nov. 5.