FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 2 (4-1-4, 0-0-1 CAA)
Drexel 2 (2-4-2, 1-0-1 CAA)
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Liza Suydam's goal in the 80th minute allowed the Monmouth University women's soccer team to secure a 2-2 tie with Drexel University in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opener on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Drexel got on the board quickly in this one as just 4:14 in, Elise Duffy crossed a ball from the near side to the far corner of the box. Daryn Conner booted the ball into the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage. 
 
The Dragons added to their advantage at 11:45 as a defensive miscue by the Hawks led to an own goal and a 2-0 Drexel lead. 
 
The Hawks applied the pressure over the next 20 plus minutes but were unable to connect.
 
Monmouth got on the board just before the half with a goal at the 40:54 mark. Ari Keily crossed a ball from the far side of the top of the box to the near side. Lindsey Husic settled the ball and sent it into a crashing Emily De Almeida in the middle. De Almeida deposited it in the back of net and made a 2-1 contest. 
 
Drexel took the 2-1 lead at the break.
 
The Hawks brought the energy coming out of the half and fired off several shots in the first 30 minutes of the period.
 
Monmouth got the equalizer at 79:53 as Suydam picked off a pass by Drexel and fired it home. That tied the match at 2-2. 
 
The Hawks outshot Drexel 4-1 over the final 10 minutes but could not score another one as the contest ended in a 2-2 tie.

NOTES AND QUOTES
"Credit to Drexel for coming out strong. Lots of lesson were learned today and I am glad we showed that we can come from behind and manage a tie after being down 2-0. Looking forward to this week's training and preparation for William & Mary on Thursday."

• Monmouth head coach Kylee Flynn

- Monmouth is now 1-0-2 in CAA openers.  
- Monmouth moves to 7-2-2 all-time against Drexel. The Hawks are 3-0-2 in their last five meetings with the Dragons. 
- Ari Keily picked up her first career point for the Hawks with an assist on Emily De Almeida's goal.
- Liza Suydam is now tied for the team lead in goals scored with five. She is just two shy of her goal total from a year ago.
- De Almeida scored her second goal of the season in the first half. She is one of five Hawks to score at least two goals this season (Summer Reimet, Liza Suydam, Ashley Lavrich, Loren Gehret, De Almeida). 
- Lindsey Husic recorded her first point of the season with an assist on De Almeida's goal. 

NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth held a 16-8 advantage in shots in the contest. The Hawks put eight shots on goal to Drexel's one.
- Monmouth took six of the eight corner kicks in the match. 
- Joella Chase made six saves to secure the tie for Drexel.  
- Cassie Coster did not record a save in contest for Monmouth.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth remains home to host William & Mary on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 6 p.m. That contest will air on NBC Sports Philadelphia and FloFc.