WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - For the first time in program history, the Monmouth University field hockey team started a season 4-1, following its 3-1 victory over the University of Delaware Blue Hens, Sunday afternoon on So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks' win was their first ever victory over UD, a 2009 NCAA qualifying team, while the Blue Hens fall to 2-3 on the year.
"We, as a collected team, played an amazing game today," said head coach Carli Figlio. "We decided to come out from the beginning and be very aggressive and not give up for 70 minutes, which we proved when we played two players down and were able to score. It's a great victory to be move to 4-1 and to beat Delaware for the first time. Melissa Katz and Ali Askinas have done some amazing things in the backfield and we got a solid effort from everyone around them today."
The Blue and White broke the scoreless tie just over 20 minutes into the first half when junior Kayleigh Kalamar (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) inserted a penalty corner to Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) on the left side. The freshman settled the ball, took one step into the circle and blasted a shot past Blue Hens' goalie Noelle Diana for her third goal of the season.
The Hawks added to their lead eight minutes later when Kimmy Baligian (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central) redirected a shot from Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) for her second goal in as many days and a 2-0 lead, which the Hawks carried into halftime.
Playing two players down, Monmouth converted its third goal of the day with just over 14 minutes left in regulation. Kalamar sent a penalty corner to Carroll, who played it back along the endline. Kalamar's shot was saved by Diana but the rebound was knocked in by a diving Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) for her third score of the season.
Heather Hartman got the Blue Hens on the board with 8:16 left as she received a pass across the circle from Carli Shutter and beat Monmouth goalkeeper Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional [Michigan State]) towards the far post.
Katz earned her fourth win of the season making a season-best eight saves. Diana is credited with the loss making five saves on the day.
Monmouth was outshot, 12-9, but controlled the penalty corners, 10-8.
Monmouth hits the road for the first time this season, when the Hawks travel to Bethlehem, Pa. for a non-conference clash with Lehigh on Friday, September 17th, starting at 7 p.m.
