WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Senior Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) scored twice and junior goalkeeper Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) made four saves in the Hawks' ninth shutout of the year to lead the Monmouth University field hockey team to a 2-0 victory over Fairfield, Sunday afternoon on So Sweet A Cat Field. With their seventh-straight win, the Hawks (14-2, 5-0 MAAC) claim the 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship, their third-straight regular season crown, and will host the league championships November 4th and 6th.

Monmouth broke the ice in the 26th minute on a corner play as Ercolino inserted to Julie Laszlo (Rotterdam, Netherlands / Rotterdams Montessori Lyceum) who sent a low, hard shot towards the near post that was deflected by Ercolino to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead. The Blue and White added an insurance marker in 69th minute in similar fashion as Ercolino tipped Laszlo's blast high into the netting for her 12th goal of the season.

NOTES & QUOTES
"It was a really special day for us collectively. For the obvious, being able to win, earn the regular season title and host the conference tournament is important to us and one of the goals we set back in August. I am extremely happy we were able to celebrate our two seniors today with a win. They both mean so much to this program and being able to honor them, and for them to be two important pieces to the victory, made it even more special." – Head Coach Carli Figlio

- The Hawks earn the program's fourth regular season title.
- Monmouth will host the MAAC Championships for the third-straight year on So Sweet A Cat Field.
- The Blue and White finished the regular season unbeaten at home (9-0).
- Ercolino, who has scored in four of the last five games, records her fifth multi-goal game of her career. The local product now has four game-winning goals this season.
- Laszlo had her goal streak halted at five games, but extended her point streak to six with two assists. The junior defender has 22 points over six-game span.
- Piersanti, who made two of her four saves in the opening eight minutes, records her 13th career shutout.
- Prior to the game, the Hawks honored their two seniors Ercolino and Casey Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City), who have combined to lead MU to 41 victories to date over their four-years.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth outshot Fairfield 12-8, including 7-3 in the second half.
- The Hawks held an 8-3 advantage in corner opportunities.
- Laszlo finished with a team-high three shot attempts, while Ercolino and freshman Josephine van der Hoop (Rotterdam, Netherlands/Wolfert van Borselem) each had a pair of attempts.

PLAYOFF PICTURE
Monmouth (5-0 MAAC), Bryant (4-2 MAAC) and Fairfield (3-2 MAAC) have all clinched a berth in the four-team field. Siena (2-3 MAAC) and Rider (3-2 MAAC) face off next Friday in Lawrenceville in the regular season finale with the winner earning the final spot in the championship. Seeding for the second through fourth seeds will be determined following that game.

NEXT UP
Monmouth will close out the regular season at Sacred Heart next Friday, October 28th. Opening whistle is slated for 6:30 p.m.

-@MonmouthFH-