MUFH OPENS UP NEC PLAY WITH 4-1 WIN AT BRYANT

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - The Monmouth University field hockey team scored four first-half goals en route to a 4-1 victory over Bryant University in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams, Friday night at Bryant Turf Complex. The Hawks, who begin NEC play with a win for the third straight season, received a four-point effort from junior Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West), while Patricia O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) registered a three-point game.

"We had a lot of heart tonight in a great team win," said head coach Carli Figlio. "Everyone played a role and we capitalized early on our opportunities in the offensive end."

MU (9-4, 1-0 NEC) broke the ice in the 17th minute as Pieczynski sent a pass to the stick of senior Kayleigh Kalamar (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom) who deposited the ball to the left corner of the cage for her second goal of the season, giving the Blue and White a 1-0 lead. The Hawks added to its advantage three minutes later as Pieczynski once again sent a pass into the circle, this time to O'Dwyer who shot the ball through traffic, past Bryant's keeper, Megan Hancock, for her seventh tally of the year.

The Hawks continued their offensive attack as Pieczynski scored her team-leading 12th goal of the season on a backhanded shot in the circle with under ten minutes remaining in the first half. Two minutes later, Monmouth connected on its fourth goal of the contest off a penalty corner. Junior Kimmy Baligian (Whitehouse Station, N.J./Hunterdon Central) inserted the ball to senior Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) who stick-stopped it at the top of the circle and pushed it to O'Dwyer. The sophomore sent a pass to classmate Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) who blasted a shot from the left side past Hancock for her sixth strike of the season, which gave the Hawks a comfortable 4-0 lead.

Bryant (6-6, 0-1 NEC) got on the board 1:55 before the intermission on Kayleigh Ballantyne's goal, but the Hawks' three goal lead proved to be enough to secure the victory.

Monmouth's sophomore goalkeeper Teresa Mathews (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) made six saves, while junior Nicole Manziano (Monroe, N.J./Monroe Township) registered a defensive save for the sixth-consecutive contest to increase her season total to 10. Hancock turned away three shots for the Bulldogs in the loss.

MU controlled the shots, 19-11, and penalty corners, 15-9.

The Blue and White continue its NEC road weekend as it travels to Siena on Sunday, October 9th, for a 1 p.m. battle with the Saints.

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Players Mentioned

#27 Kayleigh Kalamar: M; 5' 6"; Freshman

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

#3 Kimmy Baligian: F; 5' 2"; Freshman

#1 Nicole Manziano: D; 5' 3"; 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

#27 Kayleigh Kalamar
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: M

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

#3 Kimmy Baligian
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: F

#1 Nicole Manziano
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: D

#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