The University field hockey team has started the season slowly, but head coach Carli Figlio and her girls know what it takes to get back on track. Figlio is in her sixth year as the head coach, so she has plenty of experience going through ups and downs in a season.
The team has started the season 0-6, but they are headed to Newark, Del. today to take on the University of Delaware in a non-conference matchup.
The Hawks began the season with a tough loss to Syracuse University, ranked seventh in the nation at the time. Monmouth hosted Syracuse with expectations for a tough game, but also an opportunity to prove something big. Unfortunately, they fell short by a score of 8-1. Despite what the final score said, having the opportunity to match up against a powerful squad like Syracuse is only good for the Monmouth field hockey program. Playing up against tough opponents will only make them better.
Three days later, Monmouth traveled to Long Island to take on Hofstra University. It was another tough one, as the Hawks were held without a goal in the 6-0 loss. The Hawks wrapped up the month of August with an opportunity to host Rutgers University and add to the hype of the in-state rivalry. It was also the third year that the two schools have participated in the “Stick it To Cancer Game,” where both teams play to support and fund cancer research. The past two years, the two schools raised over $3,000. Rutgers came out on top with a 4-1 win.
Two days later, Monmouth hosted Fairfield University in the second game of a four game home stand in West Long Branch, N.J. Both teams fought hard to the ending, forcing overtime after a 4-4 deadlock. Only four minutes into the overtime period, Fairfield hit the game winning goal to leave West Long Branch with a thrilling victory. Michelle Pieczynski led the way for the Hawks with two goals while Nicole Manziano added two assists. Pieczynski’s two goals made her the first player in Monmouth field hockey history to surpass the 100 point mark.
On the second day of fall classes, Monmouth hosted Temple University in another non-conference matchup. Both teams exchanged goals throughout the game, but Temple sealed it in the end to pull off a 3-2 victory.
On Sunday afternoon, Monmouth hosted Virginia Commonwealth University in the final match of the home stand. The result was identical to the previous game against Temple, putting the Hawks at an uneasy 0-6 record.
So far this season, Pieczynski currently leads the Hawks in points with ten, including five goals. Amanda Scoenfeld has two goals and Tara Brown has four assists. Ali Askinas has three defensive saves while Nicole Manziano has two. Goalie Teresa Mathews has 37 saves and has allowed 29 goals on the season. She averages just fewer than five goals allowed per game.
The Hawks will continue to face off against non-conference opponents for the next month and then will begin NEC play. Monmouth also faces a seven game road trip, starting next week against St. Joseph’s University.
