Field Hockey closed out their regular season play after defeating the University of Vermont with a 4-0 shutout on Friday afternoon in Burlington, Vermont at Moulton Winder Field. The victory moved the Hawks’ up to the No. 20 spot in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.
The win extends the Hawks’ hot streak to eight in a row, securing them the America East’s East Division Regular Season Championship. The winning streak is the team’s longest since the 2016 season. The team maintained a perfect 5-0 record in the division this season. This marks the third time Monmouth has been undefeated in conference play in program history.
The Lady Hawks were off to a strong start with the first goal coming in the 12th minute. That goal came from sophomore forward Annick van Lange. This is the third consecutive game where the forward has scored. The second goal of the game came just two minutes later from graduate student midfielder Stefanie Bigler. This is Bigler’s fourth goal of the season, totaling five goals for her career. The goal was assisted by junior midfielder Meg de Lange. This is her second assist for the season.
The Hawks’ held Vermont to a 2-0 lead, going into the second quarter.
Just ten minutes into the second quarter, van Lange scored her second goal of the game. The third goal of the game for Monmouth was assisted by junior midfielder Ireen Frenken.
In the last minute of the second quarter, van Lange scored again. This marked three goals for van Lange in just the second quarter of play. This was van Lange’s second hat trick of the season and third for her career. The performance earned her the final America East offensive player of the week for the season. This was the sixth game where she scored more than one goal this season. She totals 36 points for the season, which is credited to her 17 goals and two assists. Van Lange’s goal was assisted by freshman forward Yasmin Pratt. This assist brought Pratt to seven assists for the season and 25 points for the year.
Going into the third quarter, the Hawks’ held Vermont to a strong 4-0 lead.
Although the Hawks’ were scoreless in the last two quarters, their powerful defense did not rest. With a combined effort throughout the game, sophomore goalkeeper Kate O’Hogan and sophomore goalkeeper Ally Tarantino were able to secure the shutout for the blue and white. O’Hogan had one save in the game. This marks 12 wins this season and 21 career wins for O’Hogan. Tarantino made a fourth quarter appearance, but was not forced to make any saves.
Monmouth outshot Vermont 16-7 during the matchup. The Hawks’ had nine shots on goal, while the Catamounts had just one. Monmouth also had ten penalty corners and Vermont had six. The Hawks and the Catamounts have faced each other five times in the past. Monmouth has been victorious in the series which began in 2008 with a 4-1 record.
“Incredibly proud of this team on how we approached a new chapter and a new challenge joining the America East,” said Head Coach Carli Figlio. “The mindset of team-first was evident today and we are so excited to end the regular season on a high note and get back to “The Cat” for the post season.”
Monmouth will begin their postseason by hosting the America East Championship at So Sweet A Cat Field in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The first game of the tournament will be played by #4 New Hampshire against #5 University of California on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 11:00 a.m. #1 Monmouth will play the winner of that matchup on Thursday, Nov. 8 at 11:00 a.m. Broadcasting information can be found on AmericaEast.com and MonmouthHawks.com.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
