WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Seniors Meg Donahue and Rachel Konowal both scored in the second half, while classmate Christen Piersanti registered her second-straight shutout as the top-seeded Monmouth University field hockey team defeated Rider, 2-0, to advance to the MAAC Championship for the second-straight season.  The Hawks will take on third-seeded Fairfield at noon on Sunday, November 5th for the MAAC title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

After playing to a scoreless first half, the Hawks were awarded a penalty corner 1:37 into the second frame.  Donahue stepped up and ripped a shot high into the left-side netting to put the Hawks on the board.  In the 48th minute, Mallory Kusakavitch sent a shot that got kicked up into the air to the opposite side where Konowal batted the ball out of mid-air inside the far post for the Hawks' insurance tally.

Piersanti recorded one save to post her 19th career shutout and second-straight over the Broncs.

NOTES & QUOTES
"It is always tough going against a longtime rival in a tournament game and Rider came to play today.  We started the second half strong and came out with a lot more energy and adjusted our mindset to allow us to establish our attack better.  It's always nice to play in front of a great crowd and to be able to play for another title at home is a tremendous honor." – Head Coach Carli Figlio

- Monmouth will make its eighth overall appearance in a conference championship game. It will be the Hawks' second-straight trip to the MAAC Championship game, third overall. 
- Monmouth (15-3, 5-1 MAAC) has won the last seven games, outscoring opponents, 36-5.  The seven-game streak is the longest of the 2017 season.
- The Hawks have won the last six meetings with the Rider. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Donahue is now 3-for-3 this year in penalty strokes and has two game-winning goals to her credit.  The fourth-year has eight goals on the year.
- Konowal registered her seventh goal of the season.
- Laszlo had her point streak snapped at 14 games.  The senior has accumulated 36 points over the 14-game span.   
- MU outshot Rider, 21-3, including 14-2 in the second half.
- The Blue and White earned six attacking corners, while yielding three to the Broncs.
- Laszlo, Kusakavitch, Konowal and Kelly Hanna all had three shot attempts.

NEXT UP
In a rematch of the 2016 MAAC Title game, the Hawks will take on the Stags, live on ESPN3, beginning at noon.  The Hawks will look to secure their second-straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and third in program history.