FIELD HOCKEY DOWNS QUINNIPIAC, 3-2

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Despite an hour long rain delay at halftime, the Monmouth University field hockey team defeated Quinnipiac University, 3-2, in Northeast Conference play, Friday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks, who received two goals from sophomore Patricia O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) and the game-winner from junior Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West), improve to 11-4 (3-0 NEC), while the Bobcats fall to 8-6 (2-1 NEC).

"We played against a few variables but reacted really well to it," said head coach Carli Figlio. "The team fought hard today and played an all-around great game. Patricia and Michelle have contributed on the offensive end but Alex Carroll has been very consistent and has played a major impact in our conference play thus far."

Monmouth jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes of the contest. Pieczynski took control of the ball near midfield and connected a pass to Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) along the right sideline. The senior sent a feed toward the far post that was tipped in by O'Dwyer for her first tally of the game, 33 second into the contest. O'Dwyer converted her second goal, her ninth of the season, in the 12th minute as she corralled a loose ball in the circle and tucked it under the pad of QU's goalkeeper, Nicole Lewis, to give the Blue and White the two goal lead.

Quinnipiac responded with back-to-back goals from Kaitlyn Notarianni and had the opportunity to take the lead on two penalty corner attempts with no time left in the first half. The first try was deflected up over MU's goalkeeper Teresa Mathews (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) but was batted out of the air by sophomore Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) for her second defensive save of the year. The second corner went to Ashley Gradwell who sent a shot a wide to end the first half deadlocked at 2-2.

Senior Tara Brown (Hatboro, Pa./Archbishop Wood) gathered the ball in the attacking end in the 55th minute and sent a strong feed into the circle where Pieczynski got a stick on it and deflected up past a sprawling Lewis, for the game-winner and her league-leading 16th goal of the season.

Mathews turned away three Bobcat shots, while Lewis recorded 11 saves in the losing effort.

MU outshot QU, 17-9, including 7-0 in the second half and controlled the penalty corners, 6-3.

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, October 16th at noon as it hosts Sacred Heart in Northeast Conference action.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#12 Tara Brown: M; 5' 6"; Freshman

#11 Ashley McPeek: M; 5' 5"; Freshman

#8 Michelle Pieczynski: F; 5' 9"; Freshman

#13 Alex Carroll: D; 5' 2"; Freshman

#96 Teresa Mathews: GK; 5' 1"; Freshman

#16 Trish O'Dwyer: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#12 Tara Brown
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: M

#11 Ashley McPeek
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: M

#8 Michelle Pieczynski
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: F

#13 Alex Carroll
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: D

#96 Teresa Mathews
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: GK

#16 Trish O'Dwyer
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F