PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Behind the lone tally of the game by freshman forward
Dana Costello, the Monmouth University women's soccer team held on for one of its biggest victories in program history, as the Hawks defeated No. 17 Rutgers University on Sunday afternoon, at Yurcak Field in Piscataway.
Monmouth (2-0) handed the BIG EAST's Scarlet Knights their first loss of the season, while posting its first win over a nationally-ranked side in school annals.
"It was a terrific result for our program, to beat a ranked team on their field," stated head coach
Krissy Turner. "We battled for 90 minutes and on this day that was exactly what we needed."
In the sixteenth meeting between the in-state rivals since 1985, Monmouth's victory was just the second in the series, as the Hawks now stand 2-13-1 all-time versus Rutgers. Turner's first win over the Scarlet Knights, was the program's first victory since 1989.
The Hawks notched the only score of the match in the sixth minute when Costello recorded her third goal of the year, to give the Hawks an early 1-0 edge, depositing the ball in the back left of the cage.
After scoring at the 5:22 mark, Monmouth, which only registered four shots in the game, withstood the Knights' attack which attempted 19 shots throughout the rest of the match.
"I am proud of the effort my team exhibited today," added senior goalkeeper Lia Fierro, who made nine saves for the Hawks. "From the start, we knew what we needed to do and what we wanted to do. We played with confidence and stuck to our game plan. We made the difference in the game."
In the match, Fierro increased her career shutout mark to 31, moving her within four blankings of surpassing all-time leader Lori Houlihan (34.5), while inking her 41st career victory.
Rutgers (2-1) opened the 2010 season with victories over Stony Brook (3-0) and Colgate (4-1).
Monmouth returns to action on Friday, September 3, when the Hawks host Saint Peter's at 4:00 p.m., on Kessler Field.
