FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 4 (1-1)
Rider 1 (1-2)

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Junior forward Sofia Fouces led the offensive charge with three goals as the Monmouth University Field Hockey Team defeated in-state rival Rider, 4-1, on Wednesday at So Sweet A Cat Field.
 
The Argentina native opened up a 1-0 lead for the Hawks just 27 seconds into the contest with her second goal of the season assisted by Aylin Aufenacker.

In the second quarter, Monmouth would extend its lead to two on freshman defender Calista Schwartz's first career goal. Nora Goddard-Despot slid a corner entry to fellow graduate student India Shakespeare, who set up Schwartz for a one-timer that beat the Rider goalkeeper low.
 
Monmouth outshot the Broncs 13-2 in the first half and generated four penalty corners to Rider's one.
 
Fouces would score again on a deflection in the third. Johanna Karlhuber's first assist of the season was threaded through multiple defenders before finding Fouces's stick near the far post.

Rider answered with under two minutes to go in the third to cut the Monmouth lead to 3-1.

In the fourth, Fouces capped off her first career hat trick after Jess Tucker set her up nicely inside the circle. The Hawks cruised in the final 3:52 to secure their first win of the season.

NOTES & QUOTES
"I think we started strong against UConn in showing that we had some good attacking moments and we really just needed to finish. I was happy with the attacking and finishing today inside the circle. We need to continue to surround each other, support each other, and move the ball on Friday at Syracuse." – Head Coach Carli Figlio
 
- Monmouth has won nine consecutive contests versus Rider.
- Rider leads the all-time series 24-15.
- No. 8 Syracuse has scored 15 goals through its first two games.

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Sofia Fouces has the early conference lead in goals (4) and points (8).
- Freshman Calista Schwartz scored her first career goal.
- Aylin Aufenacker, India Shakespeare, Nora Goddard-Despot, Johanna Karlhuber, and Jess Tucker all recorded one assist each – all their first of the season.
- Jessie Eiselin made one save en route to her first career win.
- Monmouth outshot Rider 19-4 in the game, and Monmouth landed more shots on goal, 13-2.
- The Hawks earned four corner opportunities, while Rider had three.

NEXT UP
The Hawks travel north to take on No. 8 Syracuse on Friday, September 1, at 4:00 p.m.