WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Paced by junior Nicole Close's two goals and two assists, and sophomore Dana Costello's goal and two assists, the Monmouth University women's soccer team posted a 6-0 victory over visiting NJIT on Monday night on The Great Lawn. The Hawks, who scored the most goals in a victory since November 2009, improved to 1-3 on the season with the win, as senior Courtney Snyder added a goal and an assist as well.
"Tonight was a solid win at home for us," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "It was great to score goals and they were terrific combinations to create the chances."
Monmouth got on the scoreboard in the 20th minute when sophomore Monique Plescia found Costello, who fed Close for the score, and a 1-0 lead. MU doubled its lead in the 35th minute when freshman Jill Root played a ball to Costello, who beat a defender and found the far netting, past NJIT goalkeeper Anna Kornmuller.
Just under two minutes later, the Hawks went in front 3-0 when senior Jennie Vartebedian threw in a ball to Close, who flicked a pass to Snyder at the top of the box, and Snyder's one-timer from 20 yards away hit the net.
Nearly three minutes into the second half, the Blue and White grabbed a 4-0 advantage when Costello delivered a pass to Plescia, who recorded her first career goal, in the 48th minute. Snyder and Close connected again in the 68th minute, with the senior feeding the junior this time, giving MU a 5-0 lead.
The Hawks notched a final tally when Close lifted a corner kick into the box in the 89th minute, which found the head of freshman Areli Bermudez Delgado, who nodded her first career score and a 6-0 advantage.
Monmouth outshot the Highlanders 18-3 in the match, and held a 9-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities.
Junior Ashley Lewis played the opening 45 minutes for the Hawks in goal, allowing no goals, while making zero saves. Freshman Jocelyn McCoy was forced to make a pair of saves in the second half, preserving the blank sheet for Monmouth.
NJIT's Kornmuller made six saves in net for the Highlanders, who fall to 0-4 on the season.
Monmouth returns to action on Friday, when the Hawks travel to Lehigh University for a non-conference match at 7:00 p.m.
