WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University field hockey team dropped their 2007 season and home opener, 2-0 to La Salle at Kessler Field on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks and Explorers began their respective seasons on a very humid day under a brutal sun. La Salle scored one goal each half, including what proved to be the game-winner in the first half when Maria Allegretto sent a shot towards on goal and it was deflected up in the air and batted into the back of the net by teammate Beth Carey at the 5:31 mark. They scored their second goal when Allegretto fed teammate Kara Harpel ahead of the pack on a breakaway early in the second half.

Monmouth received a stellar performance from goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional), a Michigan State transfer, seeing her first action for the Blue and White. She made 17 saves in the game as MU was outshot 27-9 by La Salle. Annie LoPresti (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North), who led the Monmouth offense with three shots on goal, added a defensive save in the second half.

La Salle held a slight 8-7 advantage on corner opportunities in the game.

Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, September 1 when they travel to Lewisburg, Penn. for a 1 p.m. start with Bucknell.