FAIRFIELD, CT- Monmouth University's (4-8, 2-1 MAAC) women's lacrosse team lost its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference game of the 2017 season on Wednesday afternoon, falling 13-5 to Fairfield University (7-4, 3-0 MAAC) at Rafferty Stadium.
Fairfield overpowered the Hawks from the start, building a 6-1 lead in the first half, en route to the eight-goal win. The Stags outshot Monmouth 36-12 and forced 17 of Monmouth's 26 turnnovers.
The Hawks came out and scored two quick goals to start the second half to cut the lead to 7-3 but Fairfield answered twice to regain a six goal advantage with 21 minutes to play. The Stags launched their second five-goal unanswered streak of the game to push the advantage to 12-3 before Carly Sane (Clifton, VA/Centreville) broke the run with her free position goal with just over seven minutes remaining. Junior Caroline Corbliss (Marriottsville, MD/Marriotts Ridge) scored her second goal of the game late but the Hawks eventually fell 13-5.
NOTES & QUOTES
“Today's game came as a result of lack of fundamental throwing and catching. Fairfield, and every other team in our league, is very talented and took advantage of our mistakes. I am most proud of our attitude and effort to never give up. That has been constant this season and I believe it can be attributed to our captains and leaders.” Monmouth Head Coach Eileen Ghent
“Chloe Novak made a big difference for us in the second half on the draws. That gave us many more opportunities. Caroline Corbliss was a force on both sides of the ball and really has become a leader for us while Riley [Brager] was very solid and continues to make saves in big moments.”
· The loss snaps a two-game win streak for the Hawks
· Fairfield has won seven of its last eight matches
· Prior today, Monmouth and Fairfield's last three matches had been decide by one goal
· Fairfield and Canisius are the only two undefeated teams in the MAAC
· The Stags now lead the series 10-6, including a 4-3 mark at home against MU
· Caroline Corbliss led the Hawks with two goals, while causing four turnovers and earning six draws
· Sophomore goalie Riley Brager made 13 saves in the contest, one shy of her career high
· Freshman Nicole Ceraso had a goal and an assist, giving her a team-high 24 assists which is tied for 11th most in school history for a single season
NUMBERS CRUNCH
· Monmouth committed 26 turnovers compared to just 13 for Fairfield
· The Stags won the draw battle 11-9, with Corbliss earning six of MU's
· Fairfield's two goalies combined for five saves in the win
· Fairfield was led by Riley Hellstein, who had four goals and an assist on 13 shots
· Claudia LaMarca had a goal and an assist for the Hawks
UP NEXT
Monmouth will face defending champion Canisius at home on Saturday. That match, which is slated to being at 1 PM, will air on ESPN3.
