WEST WINDSOR, N.J. - The Monmouth University field hockey team fell short in its first appearance in the NEC Championship game, losing to Lock Haven, 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Mercer County College Field Hockey Field in West Windsor, N.J. The Hawks end the 2009 season with a 9-12 overall record, a tie for most wins in a season in program history, while the Eagles move on to 18-4.
"It was nice to be in the championship, as it shows another step in the right direction for this program," said Head Coach Carli Figlio. "We've grown and developed so much this season and I am so proud of the efforts by everyone. It is a testament to what great student-athletes we really have."
The first 20 minutes of play was another back-and-forth physical battle with neither team producing a solid scoring opportunity. At the 20 minute mark, red-shirt senior Enza Mazza (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) ended up with the ball right in front of the net, but Eagle goalie Erin Torreson made an athletic save on Mazza's low shot. With just over a minute left in the first half, freshman Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) took a high deflected pass and redirected it past NEC Defender of the Year Alanna Lewis, but hit the right post and landing out of bounds to end the half at a 0-0 tie.
Just minutes into the second half, the Lady Eagles' Suzann Hobart fired a shot past the Hawks goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) but it hit the far post ending a scoring chance for LHU. At the 19th minute of the second half off of a penalty corner, the Lady Eagles' Kristy Shepps hit a high flick top shelf to give Lock Haven a 1-0 lead.
With just two minutes left to play, LHU's Suzann Hobart added an insurance goal off of a diving low shot on a breakaway to give the Eagles the 2-0 win.
Katz produced four saves on the afternoon while a handful of Hawks each posted a shot on goal for the Hawks. Pieczynski, Mazza, sophomore Tara Brown (Abington, Pa./Archbishop Wood), junior Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale), junior Meredith Violi (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) and sophomore Tori Symonds (Glen Gardner, N.J./Voorhees) each notched a shot on goal.
The Lady Eagles owned both the shots (13-6) and penalty corner advantages (8-4) on the afternoon.
Mazza, junior Melissa Murphy (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) and junior Nora Bosmans (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) all earned All-NEC Tournament team honors for the Hawks for their efforts in the past two games.
Co-captain Mazza summed the season up for the Blue and White, "I'm proud of what we've accomplished this season. I think we took a step forward and paved the way for next year's team. {The returning players} know what it feels like to be in the championship and it just proves that we are a good team and we have what it takes to get to the next level {next year}."
The Lady Eagles, who have won their fourth straight NEC Championship, earn the rights to the participate in the play-in game with the Patriot League winner.
