Field Hockey lost 2-1 in a double overtime thriller on Sunday against Lafayette at Rappolt Field in New York.
The Hawks, who are currently ranked 25th in the nation for the fifth time in program history, were the first team to get on the board as freshman forward Colleen Craven intercepted a ball near the attacking 25-yard line. This would lead up to junior midfielder Ireen Frenken to score from the top of the circle in the 14th minute. The early goal was assisted by junior defender Hannah Schiavo as well as graduate student midfielder Stefanie Bigler. Monmouth would hold this lead into halftime.
It did not take long for Lafayette to even the score after halftime. By the 35th minute Lafayette tied the game by knocking in a rebound on the weak side post. After a hard fought 60 minutes no winner was determined so the matchup was sent into overtime to find a victor.
In the first overtime, the Blue and White had quite a few scoring opportunities. Senior midfielder Josephine van der Hoop had a chance as she was alone in the circle, however her shot was blocked by Lafayette’s goalie.
The Hawks then got a two on none fast break but sent the ball wide on a shot that would have sent them home with a win.
The game finally came to an end in the 77th minute when Lafayette scored the difference maker. The Hawks saw their fair share of opportunities to finish with a win in their first meeting since 2016.
“We are disappointed in the result because we play good hockey that led to some good chances,” said head coach Carli Figlio. “We need to focus on finishing when we create those chances as we move into conference play this week.”
The Hawks were outshot in Sunday’s contest as they had a total of ten shots while Lafayette had 16. The Blue and White also had three less shots on goal than their opponent as well. Leading the Hawks with three shots was Frenken. Senior midfielder Josephine van der Hoop and freshman forward Yasmin Pratt finished the day with two shot attempts each.
The one part of the stat sheet the Blue and White were completely out shined in was penalty corners. Lafayette held a 10-3 advantage when it came to the corner opportunities. Several of Lafayette’s corners came in the overtime periods. The Hawks however were able to spoil those chances from their opponent.
This is the Hawks second loss on the road this season as both games were lost in overtime as well. The Hawks have an all-time record of 3-2 when they are nationally ranked.
Sophomore goalkeeper Kate O’Hogan had one of her best games this season as she recorded five saves in the losing effort which is a season high. Senior defender Annie Deusch also recorder her second save of the season. Frenken’s first quarter goal was the sixth of her career as well as her second on the season.
Schiavo’s assist in the game was her second of the season while Bigler notched her third of the year. Bigler has already matched her season best assist total which she just set last year.
After Sunday’s loss, the Hawks fall to 5-4 on the year while Lafayette improves to 5-5.
Coming up next for the Blue and White is a matchup on the road against New Hampshire on Friday at 4:00 p.m. They will then head home as they face conference rival Rider on Sunday at So Sweet a Cat field to begin conference play at 12:00 p.m.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
