LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. ? The Monmouth University softball team dropped a pair of games at the Rider Invitational, falling 6-3 to Lafayette and 4-3 To Villanova, at the day-long in-state tournament. The losses drop MU's record on the season to 7-6.

In the first game, Heather Gordon (Hatboro, Pa./Mount St. Joseph's) was the losing pitcher of record for Monmouth, while Kristine Sawlsville (Wyomissing, Pa./Wilson) absorbed the loss against Villanova.

Freshman Jessica Nicola (South Amboy, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial) hit her first collegiate home run against the Wildcats as MU cut the lead from 4-1 to 4-3 before falling by a single run.

The Hawks' are back in action tomorrow again at the Rider Invitational as they square off against host Rider at 12:15 p.m.  before taking on Lafayette again at 2:30 p.m.

Pictured: Sophomore Lee Simonetti