WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ — Monmouth University bounced back from its first loss of the season with a dominant, 8-0 shutout victory over visiting Rider Friday on So Sweet A Cat Field.
The No. 17 nationally ranked Hawks were highlighted by junior midfielder
Milla Frye who was a point shy of tying the single game record after tallying a career high in goals (3), assists (2) and points (8). The point total was the most since Annick van Lange set the program record with nine in 2022 with Michelle Pieczynski holding the record of eight from 2010. Frye's three goals were tied for second most in single game history, while her two assists tied for the most, as Calista Schwartz was the last to reach the feat during the 2024 season against LIU.
"Milla is such an engine for us," said Monmouth coach
Carli Figlio. "When she's on you can feel a difference all the way. Whatever position we put her in, whether it's the screen or the center mid she's able to generate so much for us. Obviously, her finishing is incredible. It's scary how hard she can hit the ball, so it's really nice to see her reap the benefit of all the hard work she puts in."
Luisa Schlueter got the Hawks on the board in the seventh minute, set up from a pass by Frye inside the circle. Frye then doubled her teams lead just before the first period horn sounded. She weaved through two defenders in the circle before firing a reverse to the far corner for her first goal of the day.
Frye assisted
Claire Campen in the 28th minute for the first goal of the second and once again came through in the final seconds of the period. After a review overturned what was initially called a penalty corner, drawn by Frye, the junior found the ball at her stick, drove into the circle, dove and snuck her shot around Broncs goalie Jade Regnart to push the Hawks' lead to 4-0 with 20 seconds to spare in the half.
Gallery: (9-4-2026) Field Hockey vs. Rider 9/4/26
Alicia Vanderlyde scored her first of the year to give Monmouth a 5-0 advantage heading into the final 15 minutes of play. Frye then registered her third goal of the day, off an assist from
Maja Schröder as the Ratingen, Germany native set herself up for a reverse that painted to top right corner for the highlight goal.
Stella Goddard-Despot then put the finishing touches on the blowout victory, scoring back-to-back goals within 30 seconds of each other, assisted by
Lilly Ricks and Vanderlyde to cap the 8-0 rout.
"I trust my teammates so much and I love playing with them," Frye said after the career performance. "I just want to fight for them. I think everyone fights for each other, and I think that's why it's working so well. I'm so happy for everyone who scored today."
Seven different players registered at least a point for Monmouth. Goddard-Despot followed Frye with two goals, while Ricks finished with two assists and Vanderlyde added a goal and an assist.
Monmouth didn't give Rider any opportunities in the circle and was held without a shot all afternoon. Overall, the Hawks out-shot the Broncs, 30-0, including 20-0 in shots on goal with the hosts generating 14 corners with Rider having none.
"It was nice to see in totality in possession we were able to hold," Figlio said. "We worked a lot on our attacking 25. I still think we need a little bit of work on that, obviously in the finishing area but it was really nice to see the type of possession and we were really intentional of, 'let's set the tone,' and how quickly we were going to pass. I think we can do even more of that."
The Hawks (2-1 overall) have a full week to prepare for their next opponent, as their next matchup puts them on the road for the first time on the year, visiting Temple Sept. 11 for a 4 p.m. matchup. Monmouth defeated the Owls in West Long Branch last season, 5-2, but the previous three matchups all went into overtime.
"I think there's more stuff that we need to work on in the attacking 25 and finishing in the small, but critical moments," Figlio added. "Getting somebody on the back post, I think we missed about four or five goals in that position, so I think the overarching theme of next week has to be the discipline in those small details. If we're able to do that then we'll really be able to focus in on Friday."
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