FIELD HOCKEY POWERS PAST COLUMBIA, 4-0

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University field hockey team scored four first-half goals en route to a 4-0 victory over Columbia Sunday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks, who were lead by sophomores Patricia O'Dwyer's (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) five point effort and goalkeeper Teresa Mathews' (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley) first career shutout, improve to 3-3 on the year while the Lions fall to 1-2 on the season.

"Today was a great team effort," said head coach Carli Figlio. "I think we played really hard for 70 minutes which is what we were building up to; it's really nice to finally see two halfs put together."

Monmouth got on the board five minutes into the contest as graduate student Morganne Firmstone (Honesdale, Pa./Honesdale) successfully converted a penalty stroke for her third goal of the season, and a 1-0 Hawks' lead.

Junior defender Nicole Manziano (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) corralled the ball with 15 minutes remaining in the half and fired a feed into the circle to the stick of O'Dwyer. The sophomore transfer settled the ball and beat Lions' goalkeeper, Christie O'Hara, for her first goal of the game which pushed MU ahead, 2-0.

Two minutes later, O'Dwyer took a penalty corner feed from Firmstone and sent it towards the left side where sophomore Alex Carroll (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional) blasted a shot past O'Hara for her third tally of the season and MU's third straight goal.

O'Dwyer tallied her second goal of the game, third of the season, with 6:43 left in the first half as she settled a pass from sophomore defender Ali Askinas (West Chester, Pa./B. Reed Henderson) and beat O'Hara through the five-hole to give MU a commanding 4-0 lead.

Down by four with 20 minutes remaining in the second half, Columbia's Bridget DeSandis' attempt to get the Lions on the board sailed wide as her penalty stroke attempt went far right, keeping the Hawks ahead, 4-0.

Monmouth's defense stifled the Lions' attack as both Askinas and Carroll recorded defensive saves to go along with Mathews' eight saves. O'Hara turned away seven shots in the losing effort.

Columbia held a slight edge in shots, 16-15, and controlled the penalty corners, 10-8.

Monmouth concludes its six-game home stand next Saturday, September 17th, as it welcomes Vermont to West Long Branch for a non-conference affair starting at noon.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Morganne Firmstone: M; 5' 6"; Freshman

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

#22 Ali Askinas: D; 5' 2"; 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

#21 Morganne Firmstone
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: M

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

#22 Ali Askinas
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: D

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

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

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