POUGHKEEPSIE, NY- Monmouth University (9-7, 5-2 MAAC) women's lacrosse team started fast but couldn't keep up with Marist (8-7, 5-2 MAAC), which earned a 14-6 victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks sprinted out to a 2-0 lead early in the contest but Marist responded by scoring seven of the next eight goals to take a 7-3 lead into halftime. The teams traded goals over the start of the second half but the Red Foxes launched another run, scoring five unanswered markers over an eight minute period command a 13-4 lead with 12:50 to play. Monmouth put together back to back goals but Marist's Allison Gionta scored with 36 seconds left to give her team sole possession of second place and the 14-6 victory.

Marist held a 36-28 advantage in shots but committed 14 turnovers compared to just 11 for the Hawks. Monmouth struggled on eight meter attempts, converting just 3 of 10 while Marist went four-for-five on free positions. Marist goalie Abigail Witczak made 10 saves on the day, while MU keeper Caroline Huelster (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) had eight.

Marial Pierce (Middleburg, Va./St. John's Catholic Prep) and Caroline Corbliss (Marriottsville, MD/Marriotts Ridge) scored twice each for the Hawks, with Kate Ryan (Morton, PA/Springfield) and Logan Smet (Rockville, MD/Academy of Holy Cross) each tallying a goal.

Gionta had four goals and an assist to lead all players while Audrey Cerrone, Lauren Mazza and Hailey Wagner each had two goals in the win.

Monmouth wraps up the 2016 regular season on Wednesday when they host Iona at 3 PM.