WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University field hockey team improved to 3-1 on the season with its 3-0 victory over Brown (0-3) Saturday afternoon on So Sweet A Cat Field.
"I thought today was a great for us where we saw a lot of young player able to make a lot of plays," commented head coach Carli Figlio. "Kimmy Baligian, I thought stepped up in this game to help create a lot of attacking opportunities. Alex Carroll in the backfield along with the veteran play of Melissa Murphy and Melissa Katz had a terrific game. It's great to get another win at home and hopefully we can bring this momentum into tomorrow's game against Delaware."
The Blue and White claimed a 1-0 lead 13:08 into the game as Kayleigh Kalamar (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) redirected a shot from senior Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) for her first goal of the season. Firmstone's assist improves her points total to seven on the year.
With a goal advantage to start the second half, the Hawks tallied another score when junior Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) intercepted the ball near midfield and stickhandled into the circle where she was tackled by the defender. Baligian controlled the loose ball on the left side and fired a shot that beat Brown goalie Alex Aurigemma for her first career goal and a 2-0 Hawks lead with just under 20 minutes to play.
Monmouth's final tally came with 1:11 left in regulation as AlexCarroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) settled Meredith Violi's (Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg) insert off a penalty corner. The freshman took one step into the circle and found the back of the cage for the second time this season.
Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional [Michigan State]) recorded her first shutout of the season turning away two shots on target. Aurigemma, credited with the loss, made eight saves on the day.
The Hawks outshot the Bears, 20-3, firing 12 shots in the second half. MU also controlled the penalty corners, 15-1.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow afternoon as it welcomes Delaware to West Long Branch for the first time in program history for a 4 p.m. start.
