The field hockey team impressed everyone this past week as they stretched their win streak to five games. Unfortunately, the streak came to an end this past Saturday as the Hawks fell to the University of Albany 21. Albany is ranked 16th in the nation.
The Hawks traveled to Newark, Delaware on Wednesday September 21 for their next matchup against the University of Delaware.
The Hawks struck first in the first half as Michelle Pieczynski scored on a backhand shot. There was no other scoring from either team for the rest of the ain, exemplifying how dominant she can be, and most importantly taking the lead by a score of 21.
A few minutes later, Delaware responded with another goal to tie the game. Neither the Hawks nor Delaware were able to break the tie in regulation, so overtime was the only solution. About nine minutes into overtime, Pieczynski struck again, this time to win the game. The goal marked her second hat trick of the season.
“Our strategic plan has stayed the same. We’ve focused on intensity, holding ourselves accountable for position, and our communication,” discussed Coach Figlio. When asked about what aspects of the game that the team has to work on the most, she specifically talked about possession, including the small things and making crisp plays.
Now on a five game win streak, the Hawks were determined that they had the sure talent and ability that they could upset the 16th ranked Albany Great Danes on Saturday. The game was played at a neutral site, in Easton, Pennsylvania.
The Hawks struck first, only 33 seconds into the game. Senior Kayleigh Kalamar delivered a crisp pass to Michelle Pieczynski, which she then fired for the first goal of the game, and her ninth of the season. Albany eventually tied it up, and it stayed that way going into halftime. About six minutes into the second half, Albany scored past Teresa Mathews to take the lead. That goal would go on to be the game winner.
Unfortunately for the Hawks, the winning streak came to a halt, but the girls had plenty of reasons to be proud of themselves, as they competed closely with the #16 ranked team in the country. As a matter of fact, the one goal difference was the lowest scoring margin for Monmouth against a nationally ranked opponent in the field hockey team’s 15 year history.
Hawk’s goalie Teresa Mathews has been particularly impressive this season, allowing just over two goals allowed per game. During the Hawk’s five game win streak, she allowed just over one goal per game. “My footwork and moving towards the ball has been paying off. Carli [Coach Figlio] is very good at working on that in practice. Also, Tim, my conditioning coach has been helping me a lot,” Mathews explained.
Standing at 64, the Hawks faced off against nonconference foe Temple in Philadelphia.
Thanks to a late goal from sophomore Patricia O’Dwyer, the Hawks were able to start a new win streak by defeating Temple 21. The goal came with only 10 seconds left in the game, when sophomore Alex Carroll took Kalamar’s penalty corner and set up O’Dwyer for the goal.
This week the Hawks will be looking to build off their win against Temple, when the faceoff against Georgetown on Sunday at 12:00 pm on So Sweet a Cat Field.
