The Monmouth University women’s soccer team is now on a seven game winning streak after adding two shutout wins against Siena College and Canisius College this week. The Hawks won 1-0 against Siena in double overtime this past Wednesday, Oct. 9 and then had a 6-0 victory over Canisius on Saturday, Oct. 12.
On Wednesday, the Hawks travelled up to Landonville, New York to compete against Siena College for a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) game at Siena Field.
Although Monmouth controlled the possession for the majority of the game, the first goal was not scored until double overtime at the 100 minute mark. Senior midfielder Lexie Palladino was assisted by junior defender Sarina Jones, who ran down the sideline to set up Palladino to take her shot. Palladino’s goal was her fifth of the season and ultimately the game-winning goal of the match, this was her fifth-game winning goal of her career.
Prior to the game-winner, Monmouth attempted scoring throughout the match. Senior forward Dana Scheriff attempted two shots on goal that almost broke the tie, but they were both unsuccessful. Likewise, fifth year forward Madie Gibson generated an opportunity in around the 74th minute of the match, but the attempt was thwarted by Siena goalie, senior Taylor Dorado.
“We have been on the road for so many matches this season,” said Head Coach Krissy Turner. “I credit our team for their resiliency to approach each match. It feels great to get the result as it was well deserved.”
Later in the week, the Hawks welcomed the Canisius College Golden Griffins to The Great Lawn for another MAAC match.
The match began interestingly enough, with Monmouth’s first goal of the game actually being scored by Canisius on their own goal, making it 1-0 by the 11th minute. The Hawks took advantage of this mistake and continued to pile on goals for the remainder of the first half. To add to Monmouth’s 5-0 advantage by halftime Gibson scored her third and fourth goal of the season. Then sophomore forward Jesi Rossman and freshman midfielder and forward Alexa Correa both helped out by contributing their first goals of the season.
30 seconds into the second half of the match, freshman Maddison Perna executed her first assist of the season to Palladino, allowing her to score the sixth and final goal against Canisius to come out on top with yet another shutout victory. This was Palladino’s sixth goal of the season, and she leads the team with 13 points in 2019.
“This was an amazing performance tonight,” said Turner. “Our movement off the ball and decisions on the ball were very good. It is a great start to the second half of MAAC play.”
After this match, Monmouth has gone unbeaten in their last nine games (8-0-1) and have improved their all-time MAAC regular season record to 59-4-3. The Hawks have a 17-game conference winning streak which ranks second in the NCAA behind Saint Louis. This victory added another shutout for senior goalkeeper Amanda Knaub, making this her eighth shutout of the season, and her 38th career. Knaub now leads Monmouth in all-time shutouts, passing Lia Fierro who recorded 29 career shutouts during her time as Monmouth’s goal keeper from 2007-10.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16 the Hawks will head up to New Rochelle, New York to continue MAAC play against Iona College. Opening kickoff is set for 3:00 pm.
PHOTO TAKEN by Karlee Sell
