PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Senior Amanda Schoenfeld (West Sayville, N.Y./Connetquot) registered her first career multi-goal game, while Casey Hanna's (Seaville, N.J./Ocean City) first marker of the season proved to be the difference as the Monmouth University field hockey team earned a 4-2 victory at Penn, Thursday afternoon in non-league play. Trish O'Dwyer (Dublin, Ireland/Loreto Beaufort) added an insurance goal in the second half, her sixth-straight game with a goal, as the Hawks move to 6-6 on the year heading into the final non-conference game of the season on Sunday against Rutgers.
“We executed early which helped us secure a good lead,” commented head coach Carli Figlio. “Penn played us well in the first half, forcing us to make halftime adjustments which gave us edge in the second half to finish the game strong.”
Monmouth built a 3-0 in the first 17 minutes of play due in part to Schoenfeld's two goals. The senior put MU on the board in the sixth minute taking a feed from reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, Pa./Berks Catholic) and depositing a shot past Penn's goalkeeper Liz Mata for the early 1-0 lead. The senior cleaned up a rebound off an initial shot by junior Cori Allen (Gibbsboro, N.J./Eastern Regional [Iowa]) 10 minutes later for her second of the game and sixth of the season to give the Blue and White a 2-0 advantage.
Sophomore Casey Hanna (Seaville, N.J./Ocean City) found the goal column for the first time this season, deflecting in shot in the 17th minute for her third career goal which gave MU a three-goal lead.
Penn responded by scoring a pair of goals over the final 1:52 of the half to head into the break down by a goal. Elise Tilton scored on a penalty corner, while Alexa Hoover converted a breakaway with one tick left on the clock.
Ten minutes into the second half, Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, N.J.) inserted the corner to Allen, who set up O'Dwyer's ninth tally of the season to give the Hawks the insurance tally.
Donahue, who fired a shot on cage, had her goal streak snapped at three games, but her assist marks points in four-straight contests. Schoenfeld and O'Dwyer combined for seven shots on target, while Allen recorded three attempts.
Freshman goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) matched her career-high with eight saves to earn her fifth win of the season. Mata takes the loss for Penn, playing nearly 52 minutes and making three save. Allison Weisenfels made four saves for the Quakers off the bench.
Penn held the statistical advantage, outshooting the Hawks 22-13, while holding a 17-6 advantage in penalty corner opportunities.
The Hawks conclude their non-conference schedule against the Scarlet Knights at 1 p.m. on Sunday at So Sweet A Cat Field. The game will be broadcasted live on the Monmouth Digital Network.
-@MonmouthFH-
