STATEN ISLAND , N.Y. ? The Monmouth University lacrosse team defeated Wagner 12-6 in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon. The Hawks improve to 5-6 overall and 3-1 in league play with win, while the Seahawks fall to 3-8 and 2-2 in the conference. The Hawks defense and balanced offense fostered their third conference win in their first four league games.

MU was paced by junior Megan Brennan's (King of Prussia, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) four goals, while junior Shawn Evans (Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown) scored three goals and added an assist. Junior Perry DeWitt (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) scored a pair of goals, while classmate Ali Pollock (Watervliet, N.Y./Shaker) and freshmen Sam Lillo (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn) and Olivia Salata (Broomall, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) each contributed one goal apiece. Pollock and sophomore Molly O'Brien (Kennett, Pa./Unionville) each added an assist for the Hawks.

The Hawks jumped out to a 6-0 lead with 6:41 left in the first half behind a pair of Brennan tallies. Wagner then responded with three straight goals in the first half's final 3:06, but Monmouth scored the first goal after intermission to take a 7-3 lead. Monmouth and the Seahawks then alternated tallies over the next seven minutes before Evans and Brennan scored back-to-back markers for the Blue and White. Wagner scored its last goal with just under nine minutes remaining to cut the lead to 10-6 before the Hawks ended the contest with two goals.

Monmouth outshot Wagner 34-18 in the game, taking 17 shots and scoring six goals each half. Senior goalie Monica Johnson (Radnor, Pa./Archbishop Carroll) made 10 saves in net to earn the win.

Sophomore Danielle Hawkins (Havre de Grace, Md./Havre de Grace) led the MU defense with four ground balls and two caused turnovers. Evans added a pair of ground balls and three draw controls in the game.

The Hawks return to action on Sunday when they visit Central Connecticut State at 1:00 pm.