WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ- A dominating first half defensively coupled with 14 goals helped Monmouth University's women's lacrosse team (1-4) earn its first win of the season by a 14-8 margin over George Washington (2-1) on Saturday afternoon.

The win was also the first for first-year head coach Jordan Trautman. The Hawks allowed a season-low eight goals and matched their season-high in goals with 14 against the Colonials. Monmouth shot out to a 6-0 lead in the first 13 minutes with five different Hawks scoring, including a pair from senior Caroline Corbliss (Ellicott City, MD/Marriotts Ridge). The Colonials scored back to back markers but the Hawks ripped off three consecutive goals in the final 7:54 to take a 9-2 lead into the break.

George Washington started to get the momentum back in the first half of the final frame, outscoring MU 5-1 to cut the Hawk lead to 10-5 with 13:59 to play. The Hawks responded by tearing off four unanswered – including back to back markers from senior Alexa Smith (Westhampton Beach, NY/Westhampton Beach). George Washington's Brooke Sands scored with 3:27 to play to finish the scoring at 14-8, securing Monmouth's third win in the series. Junior Jenny Staines (Silver Spring, MD/Good Counsel) led the way for the Blue & White with five points on three goals and a pair of assists.

NOTES & QUOTES
Monmouth Head Coach Jordan Trautman on her team's first win of the season
"It felt really good, I am so excited for the girls because they've been working really hard for this win. As I said before it wasn't so much the game plan today as much as it was the energy from our players. The girls brought a lot of energy to the game today and believed in each other. They wanted this win"

Junior attack Jenny Staines on what was different
"We've been saying that it has been the little things and those started clicking and we finally got the outcome we wanted. We settled down on offense and worked it around. We stayed composed and didn't have as many turnovers as we have had in previous games."

• Monmouth now leads the series with George Washington 3-0
• The Hawks opened the season with five consecutive home matches – and won't return home until the MAAC opener against Quinnipiac on March 24
• Monmouth scored 28 goals in its two games this week
• The eight goals allowed is the least amount since April 13, 2017, when they topped Manhattan 9-7
• Riley Brager, who came into the game ranked third in the NCAA in saves, had 10 saves in net for the Blue & White
• She has recorded double-digit saves in four out of five games this season

NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth outshot GW 27-26, including 18-7 in the first half
• Monmouth was whistled for 10 more fouls than the Colonials
• Each team had 12 draw controls with Corbliss leading all players with five
• Monmouth was 5-of-7 from the 8 meter while GWU was 3-of-9
• Monmouth got a pair of goals from Logan Smet, Allison Turturro and Smith
• Senior Mackenzie Rendich had three ground balls and two caused turnovers on defense
• GWU was led by attacker Camaryn Kearns who had three goals
• Colonial goaltender Jenna Oler had eight saves in the contest

 
UP NEXT
Monmouth will play its first road game of the season on February 28 at Delaware. Opening draw is scheduled for 6 PM.