WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Sophomore Ireen Frenken and senior Georgia Garden Bachop each scored second half goals, while the defense did not allow a shot in the final 11 minutes as the Monmouth University field hockey team defeated Fairfield, 2-1, to claim the 2018 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship, Sunday afternoon on So Sweet A Cat Field. 

The Hawks (13-6), who earned their third MAAC Championship in the last five years, will await to find out their NCAA opponent during the NCAA Selection show, to be streamed on NCAA.com at 10 p.m. tonight.

Frenken, Josephine van der Hoop, Annick van Lange were named to the All-MAAC Championship Team and was joined by Garden Bachop who was named the MAAC Championship Most Valuable Player.

After a scoreless opening 35 minutes, the Hawks got on the board 2:23 into the second half as the Hawks earned a corner opportunity.  Kelly Hanna sent the ball to the top of the circle where Meg de Lange stick-stopped and set up a fake, which was taken by van der Hoop who then dished off to Frenken on the left side where she swept the ball inside the far post through traffic.   The Hawks, who outshot Fairfield 9-3 in the second half, extended the lead as Annick van Lange caused a turnover and set up Garden Bachop on a two-on-one to put the Blue and White up by two.  Fairfield cut the lead in half in the 59th minute, but could not generate any more offensive chances in the final 11 minutes.

Kate O'Hogan made three saves in cage, while Annie Deusch chipped in with a defensive save.  

NOTES & QUOTES
"This has been a really special year.  This team has proven time and time again that they are a family.   They trust in each other, they trust us and their ability to compete and to be a team has blown me away.  I am so proud of them and they certainly earned the right to call themselves champions."– Head Coach Carli Figlio

- Monmouth will make its third trip to the NCAA Tournament (2014, 2016).
- Monmouth, playing it its third-straight MAAC Championship finals, improves to 3-1 in MAAC Title games.
- The Hawks remain unbeaten at home this season (10-0).
- Ireen Frenken registered her second game-winning goal with her fourth marker of the year.
- Georgia Garden Bachop extends her point streak to nine games with her 16th goal of the year.
- Josephine van der Hoop finished the championship with six points (2 goals, 2 assists) with her assist.
- Annick van Lange has 21 points on the year following her third assist of the season.
- Kate O'Hogan is now 9-1 in cage. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Fairfield outshot Monmouth 14-12, including 11-3 in the opening half. 
- The Hawks earned seven of their eight attacking corners in the second half.  The Stags had three corner chances, all in the first half. 

NEXT UP
Monmouth will find out its NCAA Tournament opponent during the NCAA Selection Show to be streamed live on NCAA.com at 10 p.m.