WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Junior Michelle Pieczynski's (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) goal in the 20th minute was enough for the Monmouth University field hockey team to defeat Sacred Heart, 1-0, in Northeast Conference play, Sunday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks, who outshot the Pioneers 24-1 in the contest, won their sixth-straight to improve to 12-4 (4-0 NEC), while the Pioneers fall to 4-11 (1-3 NEC).
Sophomore Patricia O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) dribbled the ball to the end line where she sent a feed towards the center of the circle to the stick of Pieczynski, who tipped it past SHU's goalkeeper, Kim Stow, for the eventual game-winner and her league-leading 17th tally of the season.
Pieczynski and O'Dwyer led the offense combining for nine shots on target on the afternoon. Senior Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney), junior Nicole Manziano (Monroe, N.J./Monroe) and sophomore Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) each registered two shots apiece, while senior Kayleigh Kalamar (Bethlehem, N.J./Freedom) had one of her two shot attempts ring off the post.
MU's sophomore goalkeeper Teresa Mathews (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) earned her second career clean sheet, not being forced to make a save, while Stow turned away 13 shots in the loss.
The Blue and White also held the advantage in penalty corners, 8-2.
Monmouth returns to action this Thursday, October 20th, at 4 p.m. as it clashes with in-state rival Rider University for sole possession of first place at So Sweet A Cat Field.
