WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University (5-9, 3-2 MAAC) was overpowered for most of the second half by Niagara University (7-7, 4-1 MAAC) in a pivotal matchup that could have implications on seeding for the upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.
 
The Niagara duo of Rachel MacCheyne and Caroline Crump could not be stopped, accounting for nine goals and 13 points between the two, including six goals from MacCheyne. On what was senior day for the Hawks, it was pair of sophomores in Ally Turturro (Sound Beach, NY/Miller Place) and Nicole Ceraso (Massapequa, NY/Plainedge) that led offensively with three goals apiece. Junior Riley Brager (Reisterstown, MD/Roland Park) kept the Blue & White in it early with 12 saves, nine of which came in the first half.
 
The Hawks jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a pair of Ceraso goals but Niagara scored three straight to take their first lead. MU tallied back to back goals to go up 4-3 with 10:34 left in the first half but that would be the final Hawk lead. Niagara scored three unanswered markers, including two in the final two minutes of the half to take a 6-4 lead into the break.
 
Monmouth tallied the first goal of the half on Chloe Novak (Landsdale, PA/North Penn) shot but Niagara responded with runs of three and four goals from the 28:00 minute mark until just under 15 minutes. Trailing 13-6, Monmouth got a pair of goals from Turturro and one from Ceraso after a NU goal to cut the lead to 14-9. Niagara closed out the final 4:43 with four more goals before senior Caroline Corbliss (Marriottsville, MD/Marriotts Ridge) tallied the final goal of the game.
 
NOTES & QUOTES
"Today was a tough day for us with too many unforced turnovers. We have done some really important things the last two games but we need to focus on our consistency as we finish out conference play. With a quick turnaround we have a chance to right the ship on Wednesday and get back on track and I know we're ready for that opportunity after today's loss." Monmouth Head Coach Jordan Trautman
 

• With the win, Niagara has won three straight games in the series
• NU has also evened the series at 4-4
• Senior Alexa Smith- who had scored in 19 consecutive matches didn't attempt a shot in the contest
• Ceraso recorded her 54^th career assist, tying her with Marial Pierce (2009) for ninth most in school history. She now has 24 assists in 2018, which is tied for 11^th most in a season with former All-American Heather Bryan

 
NUMBERS CRUNCH

• Monmouth committed 17 turnovers to five for the Purple Eagles, however they each had five in the second half
• Niagara was 2-of-5 on free position shots, NU was 4-of-10
• Niagara dominated the draw circle, winning 18 of 30 overall, including 13 of 18 in the second frame
• NU defender Alexandra Higgons was dominant on the draw, winning 10 while adding three caused turnovers on the day.

UP NEXT
Monmouth will head up to Manhattan to face the Jaspers on Wednesday, April 18^th.