WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth field hockey team lost to the nationally ranked Villanova Wildcats, 5-1, on a cloudy Wednesday evening on So Sweet A Cat Field. Sophomore goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) kept the Hawks into the game with a season-high 13 saves.
The Wildcats jumped onto the board in the first minute of the game when Dana Ramsden put in a penalty goal past Katz. The score remained 1-0 through the next 32 minutes before Villanova smacked in a rebound to put the Wildcats up 2-0 going into the half.
Katz made two point-blank one-on-one saves in the game ? one in each half ? to lead the Hawks defensively.
The Hawks got into the board eleven minutes into the second half when senior Molly Passarella (Atco, N.J./Hammonton) took a pass from classmate Enza Mazza (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) to tack on the Hawks lone goal for the game. Villanova knocked in three second half goals to put the game away at 5-1.
Passarella and Mazza lead the Blue and White with two shots on goal each, while Janine Rini (Millstone, N.J./Allentown) and Nora Bosmans (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) tacked on a shot a piece.
The Hawks were outshot 25-9 on the game and lost the corner advantage 15-7.
Monmouth takes the field again this week as they host the second of a three-game home stand this Sunday, October 5th at 12:00 pm when they take on #11 ranked Louisville.
