WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University lacrosse team scored the first 13 goals of the game en route to a 17-2 decisive victory over Central Connecticut State on Friday afternoon at Kessler Field.
Ali Pollock (Watervliet, N.Y./Shaker) scored the game's first tally with an unassisted goal 54 seconds into the first half. The Hawks added another goal a minute and a half later when Ashley Waldman (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) fed a cutting Carissa Franzi (Fairfield, N.J./West Essex) to increase the lead to 2-0. Megan Brennan (King of Prussia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) scored on a free position opportunity with 23:48 showing in the first half.
The Hawks pushed their scoring run to 4-0 after Waldman passed to Brennan, who turned and fired the ball into the back of the cage with 21 minutes left in the opening half. Pollock then assisted on a pair of goals when she fed Megan Nutter (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) and Brennan on back-to-back tallies to push the lead to 6-0 with 13 minutes left in the first half. Brittany Scott (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) scored consecutive goals for the Hawks, the first off a Nutter assist, to give the Hawks an 8-0 advantage midway through the first half.
Waldman scored a free position goal, and Scott assisted on a tally to Pollock to increase the lead to 10-0 with 12 minutes left in the first half.
CCSU scored their first goal of the afternoon when Lyndsey Mastandrea tallied an unassisted score nine minutes into the second half.
Monmouth's relentless defense, led by seniors Erin Marley (Columbia, Md./Seton Keough) and Jessica Picciuto (North Caldwell, N.J./West Essex), pressured the Blue Devils into 22 turnovers.
Brennan ended up with five goals on the afternoon, while Scott added four and Nutter chipped in with three. Pollock scored two goals and dished out three assists, while Waldman added four helpers.
MU outshot CCSU 34-14 and was a perfect 4-for-4 on free position chances. Monica Johnson (Radnor, Pa./Arhcbishop Carroll) logged five saves in the first half to earn the win. She gave way to Kirby Mundorf (Catonsville, Md./Seton Keough) in the second half, who made two saves. Pollock and Nutter added four ground balls apiece, while Marley, Jackie Trainer (Upper Holland, Pa./Council Rock South) and Franzi added three apiece. Franzi also had five draw controls in the contest. Marley and Pollock chipped in with three caused turnovers on the afternoon as well.
The Hawks offensive outburst marks the third time this season that they have scored 17 goals in a game. They defeated La Salle 17-10 back on March 2 and topped St. Mary's (Ca.) 18-12 on March 13.
The Hawks return to action on Sunday when they face the MAAC's Iona Gaels at 1:00 p.m. at Kessler Field.
