WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's lacrosse team defeated Bryant University, 14-8 in Northeast Conference play on Friday afternoon at Kessler Field. The Hawks improve to 6-8 overall and 4-2 in the league, while the Bulldogs fall to 2-11 and 2-4 in the conference.

Seniors Ali Pollock (Watervliet, N.Y. /Shaker) and Shawn Evans (Moorestown, N.J. /Moorestown) each led the way for the Hawks offensively with three goals apiece, while the former also added a pair of assists. Pollock also added four ground balls and a pair of caused turnovers, while Evans also contributed four ground balls, two draw controls and three caused turnovers.

The Hawks scored 20 seconds into the contest to take the game's initial lead when the senior connection of Perry DeWitt (Malvern, Pa. /Great Valley) and Megan Brennan (King of Prussia, Pa. /Archbishop Carroll) teamed up for a goal. MU built its advantage to 7-2 at one point after Carissa Franzi (Fairfield, N.J. /West Essex) scored an unassisted tally, and the Hawks went up 9-3 after Evans scored off an assist from Brittney McLaughlin (Coram, N.Y. /Longwood) with 5:36 left.

The Bulldogs pulled to within 9-5 at halftime after Lauren Sheridan scored two of her three first half tallies within 11 seconds of each other around the 2:30 mark.

Bryant scored the second half's first goal just over a minute into the period, but MU responded with three straight tallies, including a pair of Pollock to take an 11-6 lead with 19:51 left in the game. Franzi scored again to increase MU's lead to 12-6 almost four minutes later, and the Hawks and Bulldogs would each scored two more goals apiece for the 14-8 final.

DeWitt and Junior Molly O'Brien (Kennett Square, Pa. /Unionville) joined Franzi in scoring two goals each for the Hawks. Brennan added a goal, two assists and three ground balls, while Franzi also added four ground balls. Freshman Gianna D'Urso (Fairfield, N.J. /West Essex) added four ground balls as well, in addition to three caused turnovers. DeWitt contributed four ground balls and four draw controls, while Rachel Feirstein (St. James, N.Y. /Smithtown East) also added four draw controls.

Kirby Mundorf (Catonsville, Md. /Seton Keough) made six saves and recorded four ground balls in goal to record the win. Her counterpart, Lauren Filippone, made 15 saves for Bryant.

Monmouth outshot the Bulldogs, 38-18, while also winning 15 of the game's 24 draw controls. The game was a particularly sloppy affair, featuring 59 total turnovers (Bryant - 33, Monmouth - 26).

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Central Connecticut State at 1:00 pm. The Hawks will celebrate their Senior Day before the game, honoring the program's six seniors with a brief ceremony.