NEW YORK, N.Y.- A slow start, which found the Hawks losing 8-3 going into halftime, ultimately doomed Monmouth's (0-2) chances at picking up its first lacrosse win of the season on Friday afternoon at Columba (1-0).
The Hawks outscored the Lions 7-6 in the second half, could not overcome the first half five goal deficit. Columbia scored three straight goals over the opening eight minutes before Monmouth battled back to within one after goals from Perry DeWitt (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) and Rachel Feirstein (St. James, N.Y./Smithtown East). The Lions closed out the half by going on a 5-1 run, including senior Holly Glynn's second and third goals of the half.
Columbia's offense started the second half on another hot streak, rattling off three straight goals to take a 11-3 lead, its largest of the game. Consecutive goals by MU's Megan Brennan (King of Prussia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll), Molly O'Brien (Kennett Square, Pa./Unionville) and Feirstein. Monmouth to within five with 16:44 to play in regulation. Glynn broke the scoring streak for Columbia but Brennan and Shawn Evans (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) tallied back to back goals and the Blue & White found itself back 12-8 with 8:23 to play. Two straight Lion goals put the game out of reach for Monmouth, who fell to 0-2 on the season. This season marks just the fifth time in school history that the lacrosse team has started out winless through two games.
Glynn led all scorers with an impressive six goals and one assist for seven points. Columbia's Brittany Shannon also had four goals in the win. Goalkeeper Emma Mintz needed to make just three saves as MU was outshot by a 29-16 margin.
Monmouth was led offensively by Brennan, who had four points on three goals and one assist. O'Brien, Evans and Feirstein each had two goals while junior Ali Pollock (Watervliet, N.Y./Shaker) had four assists in the game. Goaltender Monica Johnson (Radnor, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) made eight saves in net for MU.
The Hawks are back in action on Sunday, March 8, when they travel to North Carolina to face Davidson College at 1 p.m.
