Monmouth University Athletics

PHILADELPHIA, PA. — Monmouth lost in the CAA Championship Friday on Buckley Field, 2-1 to top-seed Fairfield.
 
The Hawks (11-7 overall, 5-1 CAA) couldn't overcome a 2-0 fourth quarter deficit after the Stags took advantage of back-to-back scoring chances to create the cushion they needed to pull away with the 2026 CAA Title in just their first season in the conference.
 
Monmouth, after knocking off the No. 20th ranked and No. 3 seeded Drexel Wednesday in the semifinal round held on the Dragons' own Buckley Field, were pitted against CAA newcomer Fairfield. The Stags in their inaugural year in the conference earned a share of the regular season title after handing Monmouth its first CAA regular season loss since 2024 and claimed the No. 1 seed in the process. Fairfield defeated No. 4 seed Northeastern in its semifinal matchup 3-1 to cement a spot in the championship round Friday, setting up a re-match of what was an overtime finish last month.
 
The Hawks had moved forward into the CAA Finals for the fourth straight year, falling in their previous three by a goal on each occasion. The matchup against the Stags marked the fourth different team Monmouth had faced in the CAA Championship round.
 
The game was played mostly between the 25's as Fairfield tried diligently to break the Hawks' tenacious press with their forward line working hard to squeeze the Stags in the backfield. However, Fairfield remained patient and withstood the pressure. Neither team had anything too dangerous on net with the Hawks holding the Stags without a shot until 19 minutes in, which they followed with the game's first penalty corner. Monmouth did well to defend and tried to counter the other way quickly on the re-start with a long ball played down field, but Fairfield remained organized and thwarted the effort.
 
Claire Campen registered the only chance in the second quarter for the Hawks, which came in the final five minutes that started from Maia McCourt who was critical on the right midfield spot, using her speed to generate attack for her side.
 
 
Fairfield owned the third quarter, however, as it kept Monmouth on its back foot to start the half. The Hawks defense withstood the pressure and even killed a two-minute green card in the stanza to keep the game at zeros entering the final 15 minutes of action.
The Stags started the fourth like the third, remaining aggressive on the attacking end and eventually capitalized in the 51st minute. They played a ball from atop the circle that was tipped in front of the net by Camille Perlov allowing the shot to re-direct past the outstretched reach of Monmouth goalie Charlie Bowman for the score.
 
The goal sucked the life from the Hawks side and Fairfield doubled down on the opportunity as it took advantage of the energy shift. It immediately won possession back off the re-start of the whistle and worked the ball down the right side. The Stags centered a pass in front of the net that was met by Perlov once again for the score.
 
Florence van Doorn helped re-ignite the Hawks two minutes later though thanks to back-to-back penalty corners earned by Alicia Vanderlyde. Lauren Relik inserted on the play to Anna Moors who played in a pass to van Doorn who sliced a shot far corner for her first goal of the year.
 
Monmouth had an opportunity for the equalizer, as the Stags were hit with a green card in the final two minutes before getting handed a yellow less than 60-seconds later. The Hawks pulled Bowman in the last three minutes, but Fairfield's defense held on and kept Monmouth without a shot in the stanza to hold onto a 2-1 victory.
 
The Hawks held the advantage in shots, 10-8 and shots on goal, 8-4 with Fairfield garnering four penalty corners to Monmouth's three. Bowman finished with two saves in the loss. Vanderlyde, Campen and McCourt were all named to the All-Tournament team.  

 
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