WEST CHESTER, Pa. - The Monmouth University field hockey posted their first loss of the season Sunday afternoon to West Chester, 3-2, in an overtime thriller at Vonnie Gros Field. The loss snapped a three-game win streak by the Hawks, dropping them to 3-1 on the season while the Golden Rams moved to 4-0.
In MU's second overtime game, in as many outings, the Blue and White narrowly lost in the extra period as West Chester's Brynn Adams slid a shot past Monmouth's goalie Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) 10 minutes in to end the match. Katz made a career-high 14 saves in the cage for the Hawks, including a diving blocker save of a penalty stroke by the Golden Ram's Nicole Fiorilla just minutes into OT.
West Chester was the first to strike on the sunny afternoon when Leah Angstadt put the Golden Rams up 1-0 just 12 minutes into the first half on a penalty corner. Midfielder Enza Mazza (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) put the Blue and White on the board just 10 minutes later converting on a penalty corner from inserter Meredith Violi (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) to even up the score going into halftime.
The second half was a mirror image of the first as the Golden Rams struck again first on a breakaway goal from Melissa LeNoir. For the second time in three days, forward Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) answered for the Hawks, as she posted a timely late goal - with 1:14 left in the period - to force overtime.
The Hawks were led by Mazza's six shots on goal, followed by a slew of four other teammates posting a shot a piece on net. Defender Sarah Keppel (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) also notched her first defensive save of the season in the second half of play.
The Golden Rams outshot the Hawks in the game, 25-16, but Monmouth held he advantage on penalty corners, 10-6.
Monmouth returns to the field this weekend when they travel to New England for its toughest road trip of the season. The Hawks play Brown on Saturday, September 12th with game time slated at 2:00 p.m.
