LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. - Monmouth sophomore Patricia O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) scored with 1:53 remaining in regulation, but the Hawks' fell to top-seeded Rider, 2-1, in the Northeast Conference Championship game, Saturday afternoon at Ben Cohen Field.
O'Dwyer, graduate Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) and sophomore Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) were named to the All-Tournament team.
Rider (19-1) will advance to the NCAA Play-In Game at the Ivy League Champion, Princeton University on Tuesday.
Monmouth weathered Rider's early attack as the Broncs had two penalty corner opportunities in the first two minutes that were controlled by the Hawks' defense. The first shot by Virginia Egusquiza was blocked by senior Ashley McPeek (Hazlet, N.J./St. John Vianney) which led to the second opportunity for Rider. The second chance was kicked away with the right pad of sophomore goalkeeper Teresa Mathews (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) and cleared off the line by junior Nicole Manziano (Monroe, N.J./Monroe) on Sandra Penas' shot to keep the game scoreless.
Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) had the first opportunity for the Blue and White inside the circle as the junior pushed a centering pass just wide of the cage.
Rider broke the ice in the 24th minute as a loose ball off a corner came outside the circle to Jackie Adams who sent a pass to Eefje Kok who fired a shot high into the far post for the 1-0 lead.
Megan Pisani got behind MU's defense with 27 minutes left but Mathews stopped her shot with the pad to keep it a one-goal contest.
The Hawks fell behind 2-0 with 14:24 left in regulation as Marlaine Schneider's shot trickled off Mathews' pad into the back of the cage.
O'Dwyers goal came in the 69th minute as she collected a feed from Pieczynski and swept it into the cage for her 16th goal of the season, but Rider controlled the ball in the offensive end to run out the clock and claim the league crown.
Carroll finished with a team-high three shots, two of which were on target, while O'Dwyer and Pieczynski registered two shots a piece.
Mathews finished with 10 saves for the Hawks, while Rider's keeper Rebecca Lotito turned away two shots.
The Hawks, who played in their third-consecutive conference finals, tied a program-best 15 wins which it
