WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women's soccer team came out on top in its home opener against UAlbany, winning by a score of 3-0 on Sunday afternoon.
 
Following a season-opening victory at Lehigh on Friday night, the Hawks (2-0) posted their second consecutive 3-0 decision in the triumph over the Great Danes (0-2).
 
Rachel Ludwick found the back of the net just over seven minutes into the first half off assists by Olivia Ramiz and Lauren Karabin to give the Hawks the early lead.
 
Following a shot attempt by Brianna Russo that was blocked, Kayla Reed buried the putback chance late in the first half to put the Hawks ahead 2-0 heading into halftime. Midway through the second half, Lauren Bruno sent a free kick down the sideline to Karabin who fed a perfect pass in front of the net to Clara Ford, extending the Monmouth lead to 3-0.
 
NOTES
-Monmouth posted its second straight shutout to open the season
-It's the first time in program history that the Hawks have logged two consecutive shutouts to start a season in back-to-back campaigns
-Cassie Coster tallied her seventh career shutout
-She's now posted back-to-back shutouts three times in her career
-Ludwick scored her second career goal
-Reed and Ford each scored their first career goals
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-The Great Danes narrowly outshot the Hawks, 14-12
-Monmouth had three different goal scorers
-MU totaled five corners while UAlbany managed one
-Monmouth had the advantage in saves, 9-5
-The Hawks are now 2-0 all-time against the Great Danes
 
UP NEXT
Monmouth remains at home for a 4 p.m. contest against Fairleigh Dickinson on Thursday.