SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Monmouth University field hockey team played in a see-saw battle with Northeast Conference newcomer, Bryant, but fell in the last minute of play, 1-0, Friday afternoon on the Bryant Turf Complex in Smithfield, R.I. The loss dropped the Hawks to 7-11 overall and 3-4 in NEC play while the Bulldogs move on to 7-10 overall and 4-4 in conference.
In a matchup featuring strong defensive efforts on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs got the best of the Blue and White, with just 57 seconds left in the second period, on a penalty stroke by Bryant's Brittany Glenn to give the Bulldogs the 1-0 victory.
Both halves saw back-and-forth action as the Hawks controlled shots in both periods, outshooting the Bulldogs, 18-15, while also owning the penalty corner advantage, 13-9.
The Hawks were led defensively by goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) who posted a solid effort between the pipes with seven saves on the afternoon.
Offensively, MU was led by redshirt senior Enza Mazza (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) with 10 shots followed by sophomore Tori Symonds (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) who posted three shots and freshman Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) with two shots. Junior Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale), junior Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney), and sophomore Tara Brown (Abington, Pa./Archbishop Wood) each tallied a shot on goal on the afternoon as well.
With two teams having already punched their tickets into the conference playoffs - Lock Haven and Rider - two spots remain for next weekend's NEC Championships. Despite the loss, the Hawks still control their fate, as they sit in a fourth place tie with Bryant for the last spot in the playoffs. With one game remaining on the NEC schedule, Monmouth would need to win their last matchup in order to make the playoffs for the first time in three years.
The Hawks will return to So Sweet A Cat Field for their last regular season matchup against Siena on Senior Day this Sunday, November 1st at 1:00 p.m. The winner of this game will more than likely receive the #4 seed in next weekend's NEC Championships.
