WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth University broke a scoreless halftime tie with four second half goals, in a 4-0 win over Lafayette in women's soccer action, on The Great Lawn, on Friday afternoon. In the victory, both junior Alessandra DeTata (Brick, N.J./Brick) and sophomore Mary Wilks (Bridgeton, N.J./Bridgeton) registered a goal and an assist each. With the win, the Hawks improve to 2-0-0, while Lafayette falls to 0-3-1.
"Today was a terrific way to continue our tradition of playing well on The Great Lawn," said head coach Krissy Turner. "We had many different players contribute to our success in the attack, and the defense had its second straight game of minimizing the opponent's chances."
DeTata notched the game-winner just 4:39 into the second half, when the midfielder sent a left-footed strike from 30 yards out into the netting after winning the ball in the middle of the field. DeTata tallied her first goal of the season against back-up goalkeeper Brittany Futterknecht, who entered the game at the intermission.
DeTata had a hand in Monmouth's second score, as her corner kick service eventually squirted back out to her along the left side. The junior crossed the ball to the far corner of the six-yard box, where sophomore Kim Malecki (Califon, N.J./Voorhees) headed in her first score of the season in the 54th minute.
The Hawks took a 3-0 advantage at 81:10 when Wilks collected a free ball and laced a shot from 35 yards away into the far, upper 90 of the net. Wilks worked the ball down the left side and sent a cross to freshman Kathleen Schuckers (Lincoln Park, N.J./Morris Catholic), who one-timed a shot into the lower corner for her first career goal, and a 4-0 Hawks' lead, with 45 seconds remaining.
Monmouth, which is 17-1-2 at home on The Great Lawn since the 2006 season, outshot the Leopards 18-3 in the match, forcing Lafayette goalkeepers Hannah Fink and Futterknecht to make a total of seven saves. Hawks' sophomore goalkeeper Lia Fierro (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) made two saves for her second straight shutout to open the season, and tenth overall.
The Hawks also held a 12-5 advantage in corner kick opportunities in the match.
Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, September 7, when the Hawks travel to Dartmouth for a non-conference match at noon.
