WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Junior Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) scored twice and freshman Georgia Garden Bachop (Dunedin, New Zealand/Queen Margaret) registered her first collegiate goal, which proved to be the game-winner, as the Monmouth University field hockey team defeated visiting Sacred Heart, 3-1, Friday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks, who outshot the Pioneers 21-5, improve to 6-9 overall and 3-0 in MAAC play with their third straight victory.
“I thought in the second half we really came out and played possession hockey and we were able to execute on our attacking opportunities,” commented head coach Carli Figlio. “I definitely think our team's mentality in the second half also picked up as well. It's great to see these girls believe in what they are doing and all their hard work they put in day in and day out is really starting to pay off.”
Monmouth jumped out to a 1-0 lead 9:12 into the game, converting a goal off a corner play. Ercolino inserted the ball to the top of the circle that was stopped by sophomore Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, PA/Berks Catholic) and pushed forward to set up junior Casey Hanna's (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) shot. The blast was tipped in front by Ercolino past SHU's goalkeeper, Mary Altepeter, to give the Blue and White a one-goal lead it would carry into the break.
Sacred Heart evened the score in the 50th minute when Rebecca Hauser successfully converted her first attempt at a penalty stroke this season.
Monmouth responded when senior Cori Allen (Gibbsboro, NJ/Eastern Regional [Iowa]) caused a turnover and pushed the ball downfield along the left side. The midfielder worked the ball towards the end line and played a cross to the opposite side where Garden Bachop collected and unloaded a hard shot inside the far post for her first career points to give MU a 2-1 lead.
The Hawks added an insurance marker in the 68th minute when Donahue's attempt at cage was deflected up in the air by a defender and trickled towards the far post. Ercolino played the ball off the bounce and tipped it in for her fifth goal of the year. It's the second time in her career the local product has recorded a multi-goal game.
Sophomore goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) earned the victory in cage, making one save, while Altepeter turned away eight shots in defeat.
Monmouth earned 11 corner opportunities compared to just five chances for the Pioneers.
The Blue and White returns to action on Sunday, October 25th at 1:00 p.m. when it welcomes Quinnipiac to So Sweet A Cat Field for the final regular season home game and with MAAC Championship implications on the line. Prior to the game, the program will recognize its three seniors – Casey Higgins, Lauren Horner and Cori Allen – with its annual Senior Day celebration.
