FIELD HOCKEY FALLS TO #5 SYRACUSE, 4-0

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Monmouth University field hockey team fell to Syracuse University, 4-0, Saturday afternoon at J.S. Coyne Stadium, in the season opening game for both teams. The Orange, the fifth ranked team in the country, is the highest ranked team MU has faced in its 15-year program.

Despite the losing effort, the Hawks received a solid performance in cage by sophomore goalkeeper Teresa Mathews (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley), who registered 17 saves in her first career start for the Blue and White.

SU got on the board 22 minutes into the contest as Leonie Geyer tallied an unassisted goal, giving the Orange a 1-0 lead. Just over 10 minutes later, Heather Susek found the back of the cage for the two goal advantage, which Syracuse took into the half.

The Orange's attack continued in the second half as Amy Kee converted off a corner five minutes into the stanza and Nicole Nelson capped off the scoring with an unassisted strike two minutes later.

Mathews received some help on the back line as junior Nicole Manziano (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) and senior Melissa Murphy (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional) both posted a defensive save.

Junior Michelle Pieczynski (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) and sophomores Patricia O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) and Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) each registered a shot for the Hawks.

Syracuse held the advantage in shots, 33-3, and corners, 15-2.

MU returns home this Wednesday, August 31st, for the first of a six-game home stand as it welcomes Hofstra to West Long Branch for a 3:00 p.m. start.

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Players Mentioned

#23 Melissa Murphy: D; 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

#23 Melissa Murphy
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: D

#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