WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. -
The Monmouth University women's soccer team scored two half goals, and held on for a 2-1 victory over Central Connecticut State, on Tuesday afternoon in Northeast Conference action. Monmouth, playing its third game in five days, improved to 6-1-1 in the NEC to remain atop the league standings, and 10-3-4 overall on the season. CCSU falls to 8-7-1 and 5-2 in the league.
Monmouth got on the board at 12:59 when senior Brittani Heller sent a free kick into the box from the left wing. Playing the ball over the top of the defense, Heller found sophomore Shannon Rogers in the box for the one-timer, which beat CCSU goalkeeper Caity Casey for the 1-0 lead.
The Hawks went ahead 2-0 in the 18th minute when Heller beat Casey into the left netting off an indirect feed from classmate Amy Hoyer at the top of the 18. CCSU set up the indirect opportunity as Casey played a back pass with her hands.
CCSU trimmed the lead in half in the 88th minute, when Megan McClements played a long ball near the box, which eluded a Monmouth defender. Rachel Caneen ran on the ball and got the better end of a collision with Monmouth goalkeeper Lia Fierro, heading the ball into the open net.
"Today was a great win for us," said head coach Krissy Turner. "We are excited to finish out the NEC regular season on Sunday at home, on Senior Day."
Monmouth held a 12-9 advantage in shots, forcing Casey to make five saves for the Blue Devils. Fierro made four saves in goal for the Hawks. CCSU held a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks. Fierro kept the Blue Devils scoreless in the first half, as the freshman made a save on Caneen's breakthrough with 14 minutes left until the intermission.
Monmouth, which is now 6-0-2 at home this season, returns to action on Sunday, November 4 when the Hawks host Mount St. Mary's at 1 p.m., in their regular season finale. With a win in the finale, Monmouth would clinch the top seed in the upcoming NEC Tournament and earn the right to host the event on The Great Lawn.
