Box Score RIVERDALE, NY- Monmouth University's (7-5, 3-0 MAAC) defense held off a surging Manhattan (4-7, 0-2 MAAC) attack to remain unbeaten in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play by way of a 7-6 victory on Wednesday afternoon.
"Today was a defensive showdown for both teams,” said Monmouth Head Coach Eileen Ghent. “I though Manhattan had a lot of energy that kept them fighting throughout the second half. Our defensive unit really played together. It wasn't one individual making stops, it was two or three on the ball to turn them away. I want to credit not only those who played, but the players who help us prepare so well in practice. Everyone on this team is helping us win and it really is making a difference down the stretch."
Monmouth expanded a two-goal first half lead on Michelle Gonzales' (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) goal to start the second half, putting her Hawks up 4-1 with 27:41 left in the game. Manhattan responded with four unanswered goals over a 10 minute period to tie the game up, 4-4. Sophomore Kate Ryan (Morton, PA/Springfield) broke a 14 minute scoring draught for Monmouth with her 16th goal of the season, regaining the lead for the Hawks.
Just over a minute later Carly Sane (Clifton, VA/Centreville) scored before senior Marial Pierce (Middleburg, VA/St. John's Catholic Prep) tallied the eventual game-winner with 7:15 remaining. The Jaspers weren't through though, with Claire Roediger cutting the lead to two with 3:03 left. Stephanie Ranagan's goal with 48 seconds left cut the lead to 7-6 but Pierce won the ensuing draw to squash the attempted comeback.
Monmouth goaltender Caroline Huelster (Mount Laurel, NJ/Lenape) made 13 saves- one shy of her career high, while collecting six ground balls to backstop the Hawks to the win.
Sophomore Olivia Higson (Cheadle Hulme, England/Withington Girls School) scored twice while Huelster finished with seven saves in the first half as Monmouth took a 3-1 lead into the break. Caroline Corbliss (Marrottsville, Md/Marriott's Ridge) got the scoring going for the Hawks, taking a feed from Pierce. Manhattan's Kaitlyn Cunningham scored the lone goal for Manhattan in the first 30 minutes of play.
Pierce led all players with four points on three goals and an assist while causing three turnovers and winning three draws. Higson was the lone Hawk to score multiple goals while Corbliss added three ground balls and two caused turnovers form her midfield position.
Attacker Caitlin Murphy had three ground balls and three caused turnovers for Manhattan. Ranagan and Cunningham each scored twice for the Jaspers while Prestiano finished with nine saves in the win.
The Jaspers held a 27-22 advantage in shots while the Hawks won eight of the 15 draw controls on the day.
Monmouth returns home on Saturday for a 1 pm tilt against Quinnipiac on ESPN3. The Hawks will honor their seven seniors during a halftime celebration.
