Field Hockey responded to a Friday afternoon loss at No. 5 Princeton with a convincing 3-1 triumph over Villanova at So Sweet a Cat Field on Sunday, bumping their record up to 3-5 on the season.
After taking Big Ten teams Michigan State and No. 7 Michigan to double overtime and overtime the previous weekend, the Hawks travelled to Princeton on Friday. The match was their third time facing a nationally-ranked opponent this season including Aug. 24’s loss to No. 18 Saint Joseph’s.
Taking on its second-straight top ten ranked opponent, Monmouth played as well as could be expected. Princeton jumped to an early 2-0 lead due to two penalty corners in the opening half while simultaneously shutting down all of the Hawks attempts to score.
The Tigers carried that momentum into the second half by quickly adding a third goal. Freshman forward Natalie McNamara got the Hawks on the board in the 45th minute off of an assist from sophomore midfielder Ireen Frenken. Princeton scored their final goal twenty minutes later and walked away with a 4-1 victory.
A bright spot in the day for Monmouth was their improved play in the second half. After getting outshot 11-2 in the first, the Hawks closed the gap to 9-6 in the second.
“There were some moments of great hockey today against a very talented Princeton team,” said Head Coach Carli Figlio. “We need to look to hold possession and be consistent in our approach to each game. We look forward to being back home beginning Sunday.”
Returning to So Sweet a Cat Field for the first time since Sept. 2nd, Monmouth stopped a four-game losing streak when they beat Villanova, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon.
The Hawks were led by a two-goal game from senior forward Georgia Garden Bachop, who was all over the field against the Wildcats. Senior forward Kelly Hanna also contributed to the effort by adding her fourth goal of the season midway through the second half.
Monmouth had an explosive first half which saw the team take 11 shots on net while limiting Villanova to seven. Bachop’s first goal came off a tipped shot in front of the net four minutes into the game. Hanna added the second nine minutes after, but Villanova responded with a goal in the 26th minute to make it 2-1.
Bachop scored her second goal two minutes before the end of the half. She was assisted by sophomore midfielder Meg de Lange, who placed a perfect pass that allowed for Bachop to bury her shot into the netting.
“I think it was not the goals, it was how we did it,” said Bachop, whose performance marked her third multi-goal game of her career. “Before I put in the goal there was three or four passes beforehand. I think that was huge for us because that is what we have been working on in practice. It would not have happened had it not been for my teammates.”
The second half slowed considerably as neither team found the back of the net. Shots were limited to 6-3 in favor of Monmouth while both goalies made one save each. In the end, the Hawks claimed the 3-1 win and with it got back to winning ways.
Next up on the docket for Monmouth Field Hockey is a future America East opponent in Vermont. The Friday afternoon match is slated for a 4:00 p.m. start at So Sweet a Cat Field and will be televised on ESPN3.
PHOTO TAKEN by Karlee Sell
