The field hockey team came away with two impressive victories this past weekend to end a two-game losing streak. The Hawks handily defeated Lehigh on Friday afternoon by the score off 7-0 and followed suit on Sunday by beating Brown 9-0. With the two wins the Hawks improve to a 4-2 record on the season and have won 15 straight regular season home games.
Friday’s tilt against Lehigh began as a defensive slugfest, with both teams limiting each other’s chances. Senior forward Meg Donahue opened up scoring in the 12th minute by netting a loose ball located in the circle. The Hawks offense wasted little time and followed up four minutes later. This time it was junior forward Elyssa Okken who buried another loose ball in front of the net.
Action slowed at this point and it would take another ten minutes before a goal would be scored. Sophomore forward Josephine van der Hoop was responsible for the goal as she scored her first of the day right before the half to make it 3-0 Hawks.
Monmouth wasted little time extending their lead coming out of the half. Van Der Hoop registered her second of the day off a fast break assisted by senior midfielder Rachel Konowal to pull ahead 4-0. The Hawks did not look back from there and would register three more scores before the clock hit zero to win in an impressive matter.
“It was a great win after a tough weekend in Virginia. We were working on a few tactical things this week that showed today as we continue to get ready for conference play which is just a few weeks out, but today was a complete team win,” Head Coach Carli Figlio on the win.
Monmouth rolled to their second victory of the weekend by recording a 9-0 shutout over Brown. Senior forward Meg Donahue and sophomore forward Josephine van der Hoop both registered hat tricks on route to an impressive win.
Senior defender Julie Laszlo made her presence felt early by registering the first goal of the game at the 2:03 mark. Not be overshadowed, van der Hoop scored the following two goals to put the Hawks ahead by three. Monmouth tallied four more before the half and took a seven-goal advantage into the half.
The second half of the game slowed down and both teams limited each other’s chances. The final two goals of game came in the last 10 minutes thanks to Donahue and van der Hoop who capped off scoring on the day.
“I think this weekend was a great step for us and helped build our confidence with another complete team win. We worked really hard this week being able to defend and attack together and I think it is starting to click for us. We are now looking forward to playing at Quinnipiac next weekend,” Head Coach Carli Figlio on the game.
Monmouth’s offensive prowess was on full display this weekend but the defensive effort put forth should not be overlooked. The Hawks defense posted back to back shutouts and only let up a combined nine shots. In addition, whenever a save needed to made it was. Senior goalkeeper Christen Piersanti recorded three saves her back to back shutout performances.
Julie Laszlo on the defensive success “I think we practice a lot on our organization skills in the backfield. Also, we are trying to communicate as much as we can. I think that all rolled over to today as we all stepped up together”.
The Hawks are on the road for the next matchup. They will be taking on rival Quinnipiac next Sunday at 1:00 p.m in Hamden, CT.
PHOTO COURTESY of Karlee Sell/Monmouth Athletics
