WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University field hockey team defeated Sacred Heart, 2-1 to open Northeast Conference play on Kessler Field on Friday afternoon. The win is Monmouth's second straight, and improves their season record to 2-7 and 1-0 in the league, while Sacred Heart drops to 2-8 and 0-2 in the NEC.

“This is a great way to start the NEC portion of our schedule,” said head coach Carli Figlio. “The girls worked hard as a team, and came through in a very critical game for us.”

With Monmouth holding a 2-1 lead with 12:40 left in the second half, MU goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) fouled Sacred Heart's Becky Dyson inside the circle and set up a penalty stroke. Katz guessed left, and stopped Dyson's shot to preserve the lead and eventually the win.

Sacred Heart got on the board first as Carisa Eye scored her seventh goal of the season off an assist from teammate Whitney Russo to give the Pioneers a 1-0 lead with 5:07 gone by in the first half.

Monmouth freshman Katie Amundsen (Voorhees, N.J,/Eastern) evened the game at 1-1 when she followed a Kelly Crist (Belford, N.J./Middletown North) rebound for her second goal of the year at the 24:47 mark of the first half.

The game-winner was provided by Molly Passarella (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) when she redirected a Nora Bosmans (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) shot for the go-ahead goal, Passarella's third tally of the season and Bosmans' first collegiate assist.

Monmouth outshot Sacred Heart 20-6 in the game, including a 13-1 first half advantage. The Hawks also held a 13-3 advantage on penalty corner opportunities. Katz made three saves in goal for the win, her first in a Monmouth uniform. Kristen McIntire made 13 saves in goal for Sacred Heart.

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, September 30 when they travel to Moon Township, Pa. for a 12:00 p.m. showdown with Robert Morris.