CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Monmouth University field hockey team stormed back from a 3-0 halftime deficit to come within one twice, but ultimately fell at No. 10 Virginia, Sunday afternoon at Turf Field.  Christen Piersanti, making her 60th career start in cage, recorded 10 saves for the Hawks, who slip to 2-2 on the year.

UVa's Tara Vittese registered a first-half hat trick to spot the Cavilers to a 3-0 lead in the opening 35 minutes.  The Hawks started the second half strong, scoring two goals in the first 5:25, including its first marker 47 seconds into the stanza.  Rachel Konowal registered a goal for third straight game to put the Hawks on the board before Josephine van der Hoop registered a marker to bring the Hawks within one.  Vittese converted a penalty stroke in the 44th minute to put the Cavs back ahead by two, 4-2, but Julie Laszlo capitalized on a penalty corner to bring the Hawks back within one three minutes later.  Vittese iced the game with her fifth goal of the afternoon in the 67th minute.

NOTES & QUOTES
"I am really proud of how we changed our mentality walking into this game today.  We are showing signs of improvement and to play a top-10 team the way we did will be a great building block as we move forward." – Head Coach Carli Figlio

- Today's game marks the second time the two sides have met and the first meeting since 2005.
- Monmouth has faced a ranked opponent every season of Carli Figlio's tenure.  UVa was the Hawks' seventh ranked opponent in the top-10.
- Christen Piersanti became the fourth Hawk all-time to start 60 games in cage.  She finished with 10 saves, her second double-digit save total in her career.
-  Annie Deusch recorded her first career defensive save. 
- The Hawks held UVa to two goals below its season average of goals per game (7.33).
- Rachel Konowal has scored in three-straight games.
- Josephine van der Hoop registered her second goal of the season.
- Julie Laszlo scored her first goal of the season while adding her team-leading fourth assist.
- Georgia Garden Bachop, Kelly Hanna and Meg Donahue all registered assists.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- UVa outshot Monmouth 25-20.
- Both teams earned 10 attacking corners.  The 10 corners was a season high for the Hawks.
- Carrera Lucas was forced to make seven saves for the Cavs.

NEXT UP
Monmouth returns to West Long Branch next weekend for a pair of games on So Sweet A Cat Field. The Hawks will host Lehigh on Friday, September 8th (4 p.m.) before welcoming Brown on Sunday, September 10th at noon.

-@MonmouthFH-