WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's soccer team dropped a 2-1 decision victory to Seton Hall in its 2009 home opener on Friday afternoon, on The Great Lawn. The Hawks, who had won 10 straight matches at home, fall to 0-2 on the year, while SHU improves to 2-1 overall.

"We rebounded well from our disappointing loss last week," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "We played some really good soccer for stretches of this game, but unfortunately, we could not finish our chances today."

Monmouth opened the scoring in the first half, when sophomore Courtney Snyder notched her first tally of the season. In the 15th minute, junior goalkeeper launched a punt out of the Monmouth box, which was flicked ahead by junior Mary Wilks to a streaking Snyder, who, with one touch, beat Seton Hall netminder, Jennifer Pettigrew, to the far netting.

The Hawks nearly took a 2-0 advantage with 21 minutes remaining in the opening stanza, as a long throw-in into the box landed at the feet of Jennie Vartebedian, but her low service was cleared off the line.

At 32:09, the Pirates knotted the score at 1-1 when Wiebke Balcke chipped a ball into the box from the left end line, and Danielle Schulmann beat Fierro at the far post with a touch.

With just under 28 minutes left in the contest, Pettigrew made a diving save on Kim Malecki's header attempt at the far post, to maintain the tie. Less than three minutes later, the Pirates' goalkeeper made a point-blank save on a Snyder shot from the six-yard stripe.

Schulmann notched her second goal of the game, the game-winner at 82:09 as she collected a pass from Alex Cumella in the box and beat Fierro at the far post.

Monmouth outshot Seton Hall 11-8 in the contest, and held a 12-4 advantage in corner kicks, nine of which came in the second half.

Fierro made three saves in goal for the Hawks, while Pettigrew stopped four Monmouth shots.

The defeat marked the Hawks' first loss at home since November 4, 2007 when Monmouth lost 1-0 to Mount St. Mary's, in the regular season finale prior to its NEC Championship run.

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, when the Hawks host in-state rival Rider University at 1 p.m., on The Great Lawn.