WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University field hockey team opened the 2009 season with a win over the La Salle Explorers, 2-1, Friday afternoon on So Sweet A Cat Field in West Long Branch, N.J. The dark and rainy afternoon didn't stop the Hawks from posting their first season opening triumph since the 2002 season.
"I thought we did a great job of keeping possession and attacking in the second half," said Head Coach Carli Figlio. "This was a great win for our team as we head on the road this weekend."
Fresh off of their All-NEC honors from last season, seniors Enza Mazza (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) and Sarah Keppel (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) led a hungry Blue and White crew who were determined to change their fortunes after losing to the Explorers in last season's opening game, 2-1, at La Salle.
La Salle struck first 16 minutes into the game when Kelly Dougherty thread the needle to Rebecca Chylack for a strike past Hawks' goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional). Nine minutes later, Monmouth answered when Mazza turned a shot fake into a give-and-go pass to junior Meredith Violi (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) who knocked it in for the Hawk's first goal of the season, evening the game at 1-1 going into halftime.
The second half of play saw a back-and-forth battle between the two teams, but it was Keppel's deflected shot in into the right corner of the net that put the Blue and White ahead for good 17 minutes into the last period.
The Hawks outshot the Explorers, 15-11, while losing the battle of corners, 9-6. Katz earned the win in net for MU while posting four saves on the afternoon. Sophomore Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) tallied an assist in the game as well as Mazza, earning each a point a piece. Leading the Hawks with shots was Mazza with five followed by junior Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) with three shots and freshman Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) and Violi with two each.
Coach Figlio earns her first career season opening victory for the Hawks. Monmouth also snaps a two-game losing streak to the Explorers.
The Blue and White continue their early season play when they travel to Colgate for a battle this Sunday, August 30th at 12:00 p.m. For updates on all Monmouth field hockey action this season, visit www.GoMUHawks.com.
