WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - In the final tune-up before Northeast Conference play, the Monmouth University field hockey team defeated BIG EAST foe Georgetown, 3-2, on a soggy Sunday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat field. With the win, MU (4-6 overall) has surpassed their win total from last year (three), even before heading into NEC action.
"It's good for us to be home and get the win here today," head coach Carli Figlio said. "It sets us up nicely as we open Northeast Conference play this upcoming weekend."
Three different Hawks got into the scoring action to lead the Blue and White to their first victory in seven games. Senior defender Sarah Keppel (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) scored the eventual game-winning goal off of a rebound with 16 minutes left to play in the second half to put Monmouth up 3-1.
After the Hoyas scored on a corner to cut the Hawks lead to one, the Monmouth defense held Georgetown scoreless on several penalty corners with just minutes to play. Junior defender Nora Bosmans (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) recorded her first defensive save of the season, and the third defensive stop overall for the Hawks in the 2009 campaign.
Monmouth struck first with a rebounded goal by sophomore forward Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) just 13 minutes into play for the only goal by either team in the first half. After a defensive save by the Hoyas 15 minutes into the second half, newcomer Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Buck West) scored her team-leading fourth goal of the season off a deflected shot from teammate Meredith Violi (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg).
Juniors Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) and Violi both tallied assists in the triumph. Hawks goalkeeper Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) recorded five saves in the winning effort, giving her a career-high four wins between the pipes.
The Hawks held the shot advantage in the game, 21-14, while tying the Hoyas in penalty corner opportunities, 9-9.
After posting only two goals in the last four games, the Blue and White snapped out of their scoring funk to notch a season-high three goals on the visiting Hoyas en route to their third home win of the season. The victory ended a six game skid for the Hawks, beginning on Sept. 6 with an overtime loss against West Chester. With the loss, the Hoyas fall to a 1-8 mark on the season.
The Hawks return to action on October 2nd when they travel to Loretto, Pa. to open conference play against Saint Francis (Pa.) with game time slated for 3:00 p.m.
