NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Monmouth University field hockey team dropped its final non-conference contest of the season, falling to Columbia, 2-0 at Columbia Field Hockey Venue.  The Hawks, who received votes in the latest Kookaburra/NFHCA National Coaches Poll, fall to 8-3 on the season while the Lions improved to 6-4. Monmouth's 8-3 start is its best record against non-conference opponents in program history.

"We did not execute our game plan and perform like a solid 11," commented head coach Carli Figlio.  "Columbia is a good team who played well balanced hockey and were able to move the ball and capitalize on their chances."

The Lions struck 15 minutes into the game as Carson Christus gained control of the ball in the middle of the circle and fired a shot past Hawks' goaltender Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional (Michigan State]) for an early 1-0 lead.  Columbia added to the goal advantage 20 minutes into the second half when Julia Garrison and Hannah Smith connected on a give and go in the circle, extending the lead to two.

Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) had a team-high two shots on goal for Monmouth.  Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Buck West) fired one shot, on target, while Kimmy Baligian (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central) added a shot that was wide of the cage.

Christie O'Hara earned the win for the Lions, making three saves while Katz turned away six shots.

Columbia outshot the Hawks, 10-4 and held the advantage in corners, 8-6.

The Hawks open conference play against the Red Flash of Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday, October 10th at 1 p.m. in Loretto, Pa.