MOON TOWNSHIP, PA. -
The Monmouth University women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision at Robert Morris, in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon. Monmouth, now 8-3-4 overall and 4-1-1 in the NEC, had its 11-game unbeaten streak snapped with the loss. Robert Morris improves to 5-9-2, 2-3-1 NEC.
Robert Morris freshman Kathleen Caggiano registered a hat trick in the win for the Colonials, netting two scores in the opening half and another in the second stanza.
RMU got on the scoreboard in the seventh minute when Kelly Hilderbrand played a ball through to Caggiano, who recorded her first score on a breakaway. Caggiano put the Colonials ahead 2-0 at 29:33, when Jaimie Morra found Caggiano at the top of the box. Caggiano split two Monmouth defenders and struck a shot from 20 yards out.
Monmouth had an opportunity to trim the lead in half in the 36th minute, but sophomore Andrea Lopez's (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) penalty kick chance hit the post.
Trailing by two goals late, Monmouth shifted its formation to leave three defenders in the back and gave up another breakaway score to Caggiano, as the rookie placed her own rebound into the net.
"Unfortunately, we did not play to our ability level today," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "Give credit to Robert Morris. They showed up and wanted to win. We are looking forward Sunday, and getting back into form."
Monmouth outshot Robert Morris 14-7 in the match and held a 4-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Freshman Lia Fierro (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) made four saves in goal for the Hawks, while RMU's Jessica Onufer made five saves for the shutout. Senior Amy Hoyer (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington) and Joanna DeMoor (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) each had three shots to lead the Hawks.
Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, October 28, when the Hawks travel to Saint Francis (Pa.) for an NEC match at 1 p.m.
