LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – The Monmouth University field hockey team scored 1:37 into the game and never relinquished the lead as it defeated Rider, 3-2, Sunday afternoon. The Blue and White, which improves to 12-2 overall and 3-0 in league play, captured its first victory over Rider (8-7, 2-2 MAAC) on Ben Cohen Field.

Julie Laszlo (Rotterdam, Netherlands/Rotterdams Montessori Lyceum) deflected in her 11th goal of the season off a Casey Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) shot on the Hawks' first corner of the game to put MU ahead, 1-0. Rider answered eight minutes later scoring off a corner, but Monmouth took a 2-1 lead into the break following Kelly Hanna's (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City [Rutgers]) fifth goal of the year, converting a cross from Gab Girardi (Roseland, NJ/West Essex). The Hawks extended its lead in the 52nd minute when Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) tipped in a loose ball in front of the cage, which proved to be the game-winner as Rider scored with eight seconds left in regulation.

Junior goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) made four saves in the victory.

NOTES & QUOTES
"I am extremely proud of the total team effort. We stuck to our game plan and executed it to perfection. It is an amazing feeling to get that first win on that field [against Rider]. It was so special to hear the outpouring support from alumni and it is exciting to have control of our own destiny heading into the final two weeks of the regular season." – Head Coach Carli Figlio

- The Hawks start conference play 3-0 for the sixth time in program history.
- Monmouth has a three-game winning streak over the Broncs.
- MU is now 4-6 all-time on Ben Cohen Field, which opened in 2010, with its first victory over the Broncs.
- Laszlo and Kelly Hanna have each found the back of the cage in four-straight games.
- Kelly Hanna has posted three-points in each of the last two games.
- Casey Hanna has three assists over the last two outings.
- It is Ercolino's third game-winning goal of the season.
- Girardi has recorded an assist in back-to-back games and three of the last four contests.
- Freshman Annie Deusch (Oceanport, NJ/West Long Branch) earned her second start of the year on the backline, playing all 70 minutes. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Both sides fired nine shots with Rider holding a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal.
- Rider earned 14 penalty corners compared just seven chances for the Hawks.

NEXT UP
Monmouth returns to So Sweet A Cat Field next weekend for games against Bryant (Friday, October 21st; 4 p.m.) and Fairfield (Sunday, October 23rd; 1 p.m. – ESPN3).

-@MonmouthFH-