WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – In the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both sides, the Monmouth University field hockey team received goals from four different players, while the defense posted its sixth shutout of the season en route to a 5-0 victory over Siena, Friday afternoon at So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks, who outshot Siena 30-10 on the day, improve to 10-2 on the season, while the Saints drop to 1-8.
Sophomore Kelly Hanna (Seaville, NJ/Ocean City [Rutgers]) opened the scoring in the sixth minute, converting a feed from Meg Donahue (Wyomissing, PA/Berks Catholic), who had three assists on the afternoon. Junior Julie Laszlo (Rotterdam, Netherlands/Rotterdams Montessori Lyceum) scored her first goal on a corner in the 19th minute to put the Hawks up 2-0, which they took into the break. MU found the back of the cage again in the 37th minute as senior Alyssa Ercolino (West Long Branch, NJ/Shore Regional) deflected in a blast from Laszlo off an attacking corner. Laszlo found the back of the cage again in the 49th minute, converting a corner opportunity, while junior Rachel Konowal (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) connected with Georgia Garden Bachop (Dunedin, New Zealand/Queen Margaret) to cap off the Hawks' scoring in the 66th minute.
Junior Christen Piersanti (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan) back-stopped the defense, making five saves to secure her 30th career victory and 10th career clean sheet.
NOTES & QUOTES
"It was really important for us to start conference play on the right foot. Coming off last season we had something that we had to prove and I think the girls did a good job today. Having multiple people score is always fantastic and we cleaned some things up on defense. We look forward to Sunday when we get to play LIU Brooklyn for the first time." – Head Coach Carli Figlio
- The Hawks are now 11-8 all-time in conference openers, including 7-3 under Figlio.
- It is the fifth time in program history, and fourth under Figlio, that MU has 10 or more wins.
- The five-goal outburst matches the highest goal production of the season (8/28 at Lehigh).
- The sixth shutout matches the 2010 squad's program record in a single season.
- The Hawks fired 20 or more shots for the fourth time this season. The 17 shots on goal is a season best.
- MU recorded a team-high 17 points in the victory.
- Hanna's third goal of the season is her second game-winner.
- Laszlo recorded her second-straight multi-goal game. Her five points is a career-best.
- Ercolino, who recorded her career-high eighth goal of the season, has recorded at least one point in nine of the Hawks' 12 games.
- Donahue's three helpers is a career-high.
- Garden Bachop recorded her first goal of the season and third of her career.
- Konowal's assist is her first helper of the season and fifth of her career.
- Laszlo also added her seventh defensive save of the season.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth outshot Siena, 30-10, including 22-7 in the second half.
- Monmouth earned 12 attacking corners, while Siena attempted five of its own.
- Laszlo fired a team-high nine shots, four of which reached target, while Konowal and Hanna combined for nine shots, attempting five and four, respectively.
NEXT UP
Monmouth will travel to Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, October 9th for an 11 a.m. tilt with new field hockey associate MAAC member, LIU Brooklyn, which is playing in inaugural year of field hockey.
-@MonmouthFH-
