WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University lacrosse team won its fourth straight match, defeating Bryant 13-5 on Friday afternoon at Kessler Field. The Hawks improve to 4-5 with the win while the Bulldogs fall to 2-5.
Monmouth played a complete game, outscoring the Bulldogs 6-2 in the first half and 7-3 in the second half.
The Hawks took a 4-1 lead with 16:10 left in the first half after Caitlin Kelly (Mendham, N.J./West Morris Mendham) scored her third goal of the opening half, the second straight for the freshman via free position. After two more MU goals, the Bulldogs closed the opening half's scoring with 2:35 left. The half ended in exciting fashion when Bryant's Kayla Manzi had a fast break opportunity one-on-one with Monica Johnson (Radnor, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) but the MU keeper stopped the shot at the horn and the Hawks took a 6-2 lead into halftime.
The Blue and White began the second half on a 6-0 scoring run as Megan Brennan (King of Prussia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) tallied the first two goals of the period. Bryant's Lauren Sheridan scored the end the run and cut the MU lead to 12-4 with 8:00 left in the game, but Kelly added her team-leading fourth goal of the game less than a minute later to put the Hawks up 13-4.
MU outshot Bryant 29-17 and dominated the draw controls, 16-4. The Hawks were also a perfect 4-4 on free-position shots.
Kelly's four goals paced Monmouth offensively, while Brennan added three tallies and two assists. Ali Pollock (Watervliet, N.Y./Shaker) added two goals and an assist, while Shawn Evans (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) also added a pair of goals. Perry DeWitt (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) and Olivia Salata (Broomall, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) each added a goal apiece.
Johnson made seven saves to earn the win before giving way to Kirby Mundorf (Catonsville, Md./Seton Keough) late in the second half.
Bryant was led by Allison Faiola, who scored three goals. Delia Glover and Lauren Sheridan each added a goal, and Glover also contributed two assists.
Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, March 29 when they visit Mount St. Mary's for a 1:00 pm league match.
