WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Behind four points from junior Julie Laszlo (Rotterdam, Netherlands/Rotterdams Montessori Lyceum) and a strong defensive effort from the backline, the Monmouth University field hockey team shutout Bryant, 4-0, Friday afternoon on So Sweet A Cat Field. With their sixth-straight victory, the Hawks improve to 13-2 and clinch a berth in the upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships, which will be held November 4-6.
Freshman Josephine van der Hoop (Rotterdam, Netherlands/Wolfert van Borselem) collected a loose ball and hammered in her sixth goal of the season 2:20 into regulation which proved to be the game-winner. Senior Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) deflected in a shot from Laszlo off a corner in the 22nd minute to put the Hawks up two heading into the break. Monmouth found the back of the cage once again four minutes into the second half as Casey Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City) sent a backhanded pass to Laszlo who one-timed it past Bryant's goalkeeper, Marissa Elizardo. Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, PA/Berks Catholic) capped off the Hawks' scoring in the 48th minute when she controlled a long ball from Laszlo and connected inside the near post for her seventh goal of the year.
Junior goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) turned away two shots, both in the final 15 seconds, to preserve her eighth shutout of the season.
NOTES & QUOTES
"I really think we started to connect as a team in every line last Sunday against Rider and carried over today, which is something that we as a coaching staff have been looking for all season. A lot of our attack generated from our backfield and a lot of our defense was played by our attacking line so as a whole, we played some fantastic hockey today." – Head Coach Carli Figlio
- The Hawks clinched a postseason berth for the 12th time overall and seventh time under Figlio.
- Monmouth ran its winning streak over Bryant to eight-straight games.
- MU recorded 20 or more shots for the sixth time this season.
- van der Hoop records her second game-winning goal of the year.
- Ercolino has scored in three of the last four games.
- Laszlo has scored a goal in five-straight contests.
- Hanna has four assists over the last three outings.
- Donahue connects with her seventh goal of the season.
- Kelly Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City [Rutgers]) had her point streak snapped at four games.
- Annie Deusch (Oceanport, NJ/Shore Regional) started for the second-straight game on defense.
- Piersanti records her 12th career clean sheet in her 33rd career victory.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth outshot the Bulldogs 24-5, including 15-0 in the opening half.
- The Hawks earned 16 attacking corners, 15 more than Bryant.
- Laszlo finished with a team-high five shot attempts, while van der Hoop, Ercolino, Donahue, Hanna and Gab Girardi (Roseland, NJ/West Essex) each recorded three shots.
- Elizardo made five saves for Bryant.
NEXT UP
Monmouth returns to So Sweet A Cat Field on Sunday, October 23rd when they host Fairfield at 1 p.m. Prior to the game, the Hawks will honor its seniors Alyssa Ercolino and Casey Hanna. The game, which has MAAC Championship implications on the line, will be broadcasted live on ESPN3.
-@MonmouthFH-
