FAIRFIELD, CT – Senior Cori Allen (Gibbsboro, NJ/Eastern Regional [Iowa]) scored twice, including the game-winner with 5:36 left in regulation, as the Monmouth University field hockey team earned a 2-1 victory at Fairfield in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both teams, Saturday afternoon at University Field. Sophomore Rachel Konowal (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) assisted on both of Allen's markers, while goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) made eight saves in cage for the Hawks (4-9, 1-0 MAAC), who earned their first victory at Fairfield (4-6, 0-1 MAAC) since 2007 and their first road victory of the season.
In the 65th minute, Konowal quickly carried in a free hit into the circle and generated a 2-on-1 opportunity with Allen. Konowal sent a feed to Allen who dove for the deflection into the cage for the eventual game-winner. In the final seconds of the game, the Stags forced the Hawks into a turnover and earned a corner opportunity with time expired. Piersanti and the defensive unit cleared the ball out of the circle to secure the victory.
“It was a total 70-minute, team effort to get today's victory,” commented head coach Carli Figlio, whose team entered the year as the league's defending champions. “We were extremely focused on what we were trying to accomplish and we defended and attacked together. The team put every ounce of effort on the field.”
The Hawks earned the game's first goal in the 23rd minute when Konowal carried the ball into the circle along the right side. The second-year Hawk played a cross to the opposite post where a diving Allen tipped the ball into the cage for the 1-0 lead the Hawks would bring into the break.
The Stags evened the score as Ruth Smalbraak batted in a loose ball in the 56th minute. The Hawks' defense stifled Fairfield's offense, which outshot MU 16-7 and earned 11 attacking corners.
Allen's second multi-goal game this season gives her seven markers on the year and a new career high in both goals and points (16). She now has three game-winning goals on the year.
Junior Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) added a defensive save for the Blue and White.
Monmouth returns home next Sunday, October 18th when it hosts intrastate rival Rider at noon.
-@MonmouthFH-
