WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Monmouth University field hockey team hung around with fifth-ranked University at Albany, but a goal by Frederike Helmke in the 63rd minute propelled the Great Danes to a 1-0 victory, Sunday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The game marks the ninth-straight season the Hawks have taken on a nationally-ranked opponent and the third time it hosted a top-10 team.
“I am really proud of a full-team effort on both sides of the field today,” commented ninth-year head coach Carli Figlio. “I think if we can clean up the small details, we can move forward in a really nice fashion. We had our opportunities and now we just need to capitalize on them when they are given, but top to bottom, it was one of the better games we have put together this year.”
UAlbany (7-1), which was a NCAA Tournament Semifinalist a year ago, controlled the first 15 minutes of the game getting a flurry of scoring chances, but the Monmouth (3-7) defense was up to the task. Freshman Teresa Warner (Lower Hutt, New Zealand/Sacred Heart) had opportunities for the Blue and White late in the half, but a hard shot from the top of the circle was off the mark and a breakaway attempt was stifled by UAlbany's goalkeeper, Maxi Primus. Casey Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) also had a quality chance for the Hawks where she took a hard shot towards the far post, but it trickled wide of the cage, and junior Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) couldn't get a stick on the ball for the deflection.
The two sides exchanged possession in the second half. Ercolino and Warner both recorded shots on goal for the Hawks, who earned a pair of corner chances. The Great Danes, who also drew two corner opportunities, capitalized on its second chance. With 7:18 left in regulation, Fiori Van Rijswijk played the insert to Helmke along the left side where she connected with the game-winner.
The setback for the Blue and White is the second-straight one-goal loss to a nationally-ranked team as it fell to No. 20 Michigan State last year in overtime.
Piersanti finished with four saves on the afternoon, while Hanna earned her second defensive save of the weekend to increase her season total to three. Primus earned the win, also turning away four shots.
For the game, UAlbany outshot the Hawks, 10-6, and earned nine penalty corners compared to five for MU.
Monmouth returns to action next weekend as it begins a three-game road trip. First, the Hawks will travel to Syracuse, NY for a tilt with the nationally-ranked Orange on Friday, October 2nd at 4 p.m. Syracuse (9-0), the National Runner-Up in last year's NCAA Tournament, has been ranked in the top-five all season and slated No. 2 for back-to-back weeks. On Sunday, the Hawks will travel to La Salle for the first meeting since 2009. Opening whistle from Philadelphia, Pa. is slated for 1 p.m.
-@MonmouthFH-
