SMITHFIELD, RI – Sophomores Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, PA/Berks Catholic) recorded three points on a goal and an assist and goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) recorded six saves to lead the Monmouth University field hockey team to a 2-0 victory at Bryant, Sunday afternoon at Bryant Turf Complex. With the victory, the Hawks finish the regular season 8-10 overall and 5-1 in league play and earn a share of the MAAC Regular Season Championship with Quinnipiac. Due to MU's 3-1 victory over the Bobcats, the Hawks earned the top-seed and will host the four-team MAAC Championship on So Sweet A Cat Field, November 6-8.
The regular season championship is the Hawks' second-straight title and third in program history. Monmouth, which will make its 11th appearance in postseason play, will take on fourth-seeded Fairfield in the semifinals with the winner taking on the victor of the other semifinal contest between second-seeded Quinnipiac and third-seeded Rider. The conference champion earns a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
“Resiliency only lies within the strong and we proved our resiliency today,” commented Head Coach Carli Figlio, who guided the Hawks to six postseason appearances in her nine years at the helm. “The girls fought through adversity this weekend and became regular season champions. I think the mark of a good team is overcoming challenges presented to them and that is what we did this weekend. Being able to host is a privilege that this team has earned. All the credit goes to the 20 girls on this roster for their hard work and determination to get us to this point.”
Monmouth scored both its goal 56 second apart while Piersanti and the defense handled the Bulldogs' 12 total shots. Senior Cori Allen (Gibbsboro, NJ/Eastern Regional [Iowa]) intercepted a ball and started the break for the Hawks' attack in the 27th minute, working the ball down to the offensive circle. Donahue collected a loose ball near the top of the circle and beat Bryant's goalkeeper Marissa Elizardo between the five-hole for her fourth goal of the season and the eventual game-winner. Less than a minute later, Donahue along with classmate Mallory Kusakavitch (Pittston, PA/Holy Redeemer) forced a turnover near the right sideline. Donahue pushed the ball towards the circle and set up Allen's one-timer into the back of the cage for her team-leading ninth goal of the year.
Allen, Donahue, Kusakavitch along with junior Casey Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) each recorded three shots on the afternoon.
Piersanti earned her first shutout of the season and fourth of her career. Elizardo turned away four shots for Bryant in the loss.
Monmouth outshot the Bulldogs, 15-12, and held a slight edge in penalty corners, 6-5.
For everything on the upcoming MAAC Field Hockey Championships, please check back to MonmouthHawks.com and MAACSports.com.
-@MonmouthFH-
