WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University field hockey team lost its first game of the season to the Richmond Spiders on So Sweet A Cat Field, Saturday afternoon. 

Richmond took an early lead 2:31 into the game, as Christina Amorose took a clearing pass down the right side and found a streaking Katelin Peterson inside the circle who was able to beat Monmouth goaltender Melissa Katz (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional) between the legs for her first goal of the season. 

The Spiders added to their 1-0 halftime lead 10 minutes into the second half as Betsy Herr played the ball to the end line and fired a cross into the circle where Peterson was able to find the back of the cage for her second goal of the game.

With just under 22 minutes to play, the Spiders looked to add to their lead as Hannah Hess, Jackie Gyger and Peterson were all denied by Katz, from point-blank range in a 15-second span. 

Richmond increased its lead to 3-0,just under five minutes later, as Amorose connected on a one-timer from Chelsea Davies.

Freshman Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) put the Hawks on the board at 67:13 off a penalty corner.  Kayleigh Kalamar (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) inserted a pass to Melissa Murphy (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional), who settled the ball and set up Carroll at the top of the circle for her first career goal.

Ann Jefferis earned her first victory of the season in goal for the Spiders, making two saves.  Katz, credited with the loss, turned away four shots as the senior falls to 1-1 on the year.

"This was a missed opportunity for us as team to take the next step forward," said head coach Carli Figlio.   "Richmond is a strong team who played well today. We need to come out tomorrow with a lesson learned and be strong from the start against Colgate."

Richmond, a NCAA Tournament semifinalist a season ago, improves to 2-1 on the year, while Monmouth falls to 1-1 on the season.  The Hawks return to action tomorrow as they host Colgate on So Sweet A Cat Field at 12 p.m.