WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women's soccer team used goals from three different players and another strong defensive performance to roll past NJIT, 3-0, on Sunday afternoon at Lubetkin Field at J. Malcolm Simon Stadium.
The victory marked the 50th career win for Monmouth head coach Kylee Flynn and improved the Hawks to 4-1-2 on the season. Monmouth scored once in the opening half before adding two goals after the break, while netminder Tallulah Miller and the Hawks' back line recorded their second consecutive shutout and third clean sheet over the last four matches.
Gallery: (9-6-2026) Women's Soccer at NJIT
"We are very proud of the adjustment we made at half to play to our strengths and take what the game was giving us," Flynn stated postgame. "Our players executed perfectly and we were able to create a lot more chances in the attacking third."
NJIT created the first opportunity less than a minute into the match, forcing Miller into an early save. Monmouth answered quickly with Ashley Lavrich sending an attempt high in the fifth minute before Grace Notarfrancesco tested Highlanders goalkeeper Penelope Krieger minutes later.
The Highlanders continued to generate chances during the opening portion of the half. Miller made another save in the 13th minute, keeping NJIT off the board early. Lavrich produced Monmouth's second shot on goal in the 20th minute, but Krieger made the save to keep the match scoreless.
The Hawks eventually broke through late in the first half, with Natalie McGovern providing a career milestone
Maddie DeMaio set up McGovern in the 39th minute after a strong buildup through the middle, and the sophomore converted for the first goal of her collegiate career. The strike gave Monmouth a 1-0 advantage that it carried into halftime despite NJIT holding a 6-4 edge in shots during the opening 45 minutes.
Monmouth took control of the match after the break.
The Hawks doubled their advantage 10 minutes into the half when Lavrich connected with Evangeline Perdomo, who finished with a header for her first goal of the season. It was Lavrich's second assist of the season and pushed Monmouth in front, 2-0.
Monmouth continued to pour on the pressure, generating 17 shots in the second half after recording four in the first.
The Hawks put the game on ice in the 80th minute. DeMaio once again provided the setup, finding Danilla Butash for the finis. The goal was Butash's second of the season and gave the Hawks a commanding 3-0 advantage. The assist was DeMaio's second of the match, giving her the first multi-assist performance of her collegiate career.
Monmouth's defense closed out the victory from there. Miller made another stop in the 83rd minute for her fifth save of the afternoon and finished the full 90 minutes without allowing a goal. The Hawks limited NJIT despite 13 total Highlander shots and caught the hosts offside 11 times.
Butash led Monmouth with six shots and two on target, while Lavrich finished with four attempts and an assist. Perdomo scored on both of her shots on goal, McGovern converted her lone attempt, and DeMaio finished with two assists.
Flynn continued, "Great road win and another shutout closer to our season goals!"
The Hawks will have a week off before wrapping up the non-conference portion of the schedule next Sunday, hosting Columbia in West Long Branch. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on FloSports and SNY.
