WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University Field Hockey team saw their three-game win streak snapped this afternoon as they dropped a 3-1 contest to unbeaten Northeast Conference rival, Rider, on So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks fall to 6-7 and 2-1 in NEC play while the Broncs move to a flawless 11-0 including 2-0 record against NEC opponents.
The Broncs were the first to strike when reigning NEC Rookie of the Year, Virginia Egusquiza, beat Hawks goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) 21 minutes in to put Rider up 1-0 going into intermission.
After another Rider goal six minutes into the second half, sophomore Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) put the Hawks on the board with a rebounded put back from a partially blocked shot by teammate Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) on a penalty corner to cut the deficit to 2-1 just 10 minutes into the second period.
Rider added an insurance goal from Erin McGinniss with eight minutes left to play to end the game, giving the Hawks their second home loss of the season.
Katz stopped 11 shots between the pipes for MU, including a point blank stop in the first half, to lead the Blue and White defensively.
The Blue and White were led offensively from McPeek, red-shirt senior Enza Mazza (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) and sophomore Tori Symonds (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) who each posted one shot in the game. Junior Meredith Violi (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) added her third assist of the season on McPeek's goal.
The Broncs held the shots advantage in the game, 23-3, while also edging out the Hawks in penalty corners, 7-4.
The Hawks will look to regain their winning form this Sunday, October 11th, as they host NEC foe, Sacred Heart, at 12:00 p.m. on So Sweet A Cat Field.
