NEWARK, Del. ? The Monmouth University field hockey team dropped a nonconference contest to nationally ranked #14 Delaware 8-2 at Rullo Field on Tuesday night. The Hawks fall to 0-5 on the season, while the Blue Hens improved their mark on the year to 7-0.

Monmouth got their offensive output from a pair of players known more for their defense than their offense, as junior Molly Passarella (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) and sophomore Sarah Keppel (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) each scored their first goal of the season in the game.

Delaware took a 4-0 lead over the first 24:16 of the game, as Kimmy Schlezes scored a pair of early goals. Passarella scored for the Blue and White to make the contest 4-1 at the 26:34 mark. The goal is her second career tally, with her first coming last season in Monmouth's 1-0 win over West Chester on September 4, 2006.

Delaware added another score before halftime, and their lead grew to 8-1 before Keppel scored her first career goal in a Monmouth uniform with just over two minutes left in the game.

Delaware outshot Monmouth 29-6 in the game, and held a 12-2 advantage on penalty corner opportunities. Megan Smith (Easton, Pa./Easton Area) began the game in goal for the Hawks and made seven saves before giving way to Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional), who didn't allow a goal and made three saves in her time in the net.

The Hawks return to action when they take to the road for a clash with Rhode Island on Saturday, September 15. Game time is set for 12:00 p.m.