WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University (6-10, 4-3 MAAC) women's lacrosse team qualified for its fourth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Tournament on Saturday afternoon after defeating Siena College (1-14, 0-7 MAAC), 18-13 Saturday at Hesse Field.

The Hawks scored a season-high 18 goals in the contest, including a nine points from Junior Alexa Smith (Westhampton Beach, NY/Westhampton Beach), six points from Nicole Ceraso (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) and a career-high five points from senior Alexandra Stambaugh (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin East). Six of Smith's points came from goals, which tied her career best and is fifth most in school history.

After Monmouth jumped out to a two-goal lead early, Siena scored three straight to take its first and only lead of the game 3-2 with 23:44 remaining. The Hawks ripped off a four-goal run, including a pair from Stambaugh, over a six minute period to take a 6-3 lead. The Saints answered with a three goal run to tie it up and the two teams traded goals over the final five minutes of the half, with MU taking a 9-8 lead into the break.

Smith tallied the first goal of the second frame to put MU up two goals but Siena's Julia Sardella and Alexis Deaken tied the game 10-10 with markers within 24 seconds of each other. With 26:49 left Smith scored her third goal of the game, which started a 5-0 run for the Hawks, with all the damage being done by Smith and junior Kate Ryan (Morton, PA/Springfield). Siena scored shortly after Ryan's final goal of the run but the Hawks were able to answer and did so each time the Saints scored.

Monmouth honored seniors Ashley Cross, Olivia Higson, Claudia LaMarca, Julia Schrof, Carly Sane and Alex Stambaugh after the game.

NOTES & QUOTES

Eileen Ghent

“We played the whole sixty minutes and we were able to get contributions from multiple people all over the field, from the draw control all the way down to the attack. It was a full team effort.”

“Both Alex and Alexa score a ton in practice so it doesn't so much surprise us to see it in games. We were waiting for a breakout game from them and it just so happens that they both came in the same game.”

“This senior class means a lot to us. They have helped changed the mentality and philosophy to being more of a complete team. Not only have they left a lot on the field for us but they will leave a lasting impression on the culture of the team.”

Senior Alex Stambaugh

“The win means a lot, especially to the seniors but more importantly it means that we clinched a spot in the playoffs.”

“I was emotional, its tradition that our lockers are decorated by the sophomores and seeing them decorated just makes you realize that four years is up and that this is all coming to a close.”

“We knew we could execute our game plan and we were really patient in waiting for our cutters. We didn't force things and I think that really worked out for us.”

·         Monmouth is now 6-0 all-time against Siena, including 3-0 at home

·         The Hawks have now qualified for the MAAC Tournament all four years they have been

·         In a battle of the MAAC's top-two rookies, Monmouth's Nicole Ceraso had six points, on two goals and four assists

·         Ceraso has 30 assists now, tied with Marial Pierce for sixth most in a season

·         Smith tied her own career-high with six goals, which she had in last year's win over Iona, which is next week's opponent

·         Goaltender Stephanie Delliturri came in at the half and had five saves, including two big saves on free position attempts

·         Sophomore defender Monica Cortes had a career-high seven draw controls

·         Stambaugh's five points and three goals were both career-highs

NUMBERS CRUNCH

·         Monmouth outshot Siena 36-25 in the contest

·         The Hawks won 21 of the 33 draws on the day

·         MU committed just 11 turnovers in the game

·         Siena was 1-of-5 on free position goals and MU was 0-of-2

·         Saint freshman Alexis Deaken had four points on three goals and an assist

·         Julia Sardella had four goals in the game while Michelle Schwartz led Siena with six points on three goals and three assists

·         Siena goalie Sammy Horton had 11 saves in the game

UP NEXT
Monmouth will head to Iona to face the Gaels on Wednesday in the final game of the regular season. Seeding for the MAAC Tournament is still to be determined.