WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth field hockey earned the No. 18 spot in the first NFHCA Poll of the season, marking the highest national ranking in program history.

The Hawks are off to a 5-1 start and secured their first ranked win in seven tries with a 4-3 victory at Lehigh on Sept. 12. Junior defender Anna Moors was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 15 after scoring in the win and anchoring a backline that held the Mountain Hawks scoreless in the final six seconds while defending two penalty corners.

Junior Lauren Relik eads Monmouth with 15 points (3G, 9A). Sophomore forward  Claire Campen (7A) and Moors (7A) are tied for second on the team with 14 points apiece.

Monmouth will face Big Ten foe No. 17 Rutgers on Sunday at 12 p.m. in Piscataway, N.J. The matchup will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network.