Women’s soccer ended their season after falling to Brown in penalty kicks in the First Round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Stevenson-Pincince Field in Providence, Rhode Island.
950 people were in attendance for the matchup between Monmouth (14-2-3) and #16 Brown (14-1-3).
Monmouth first faced Brown on Nov. 5, 1988 where they lost 1-2. Their next time facing off was Sept. 11, 2010 where they also lost 1-2. Saturday’s match ended in a tie at the end of regulation and eventually went into two scoreless overtimes, but was forced into penalty kicks to decide a winner, where Brown prevailed.
The Hawks managed to get eight shots off in the first half and seven shots off in the second half. They had one shot in the first over time and three in the second.
The Bears had four shots in the first half and also four shots in the second. They had one goal for the first overtime and one in the second overtime period. Overall, Monmouth outshot Brown in the match 19-10 with six shots on goal, while Brown had four.
The defense on both ends played a huge role on Saturday. Monmouth’s senior goalkeeper Amanda Knaub had four saves for the day. She saved two goals in the first half and two in the second half.
The scoreless regulation play gave Knaub her 15th shutout of the season and 45th career clean sheet. Her shutout record is tied for the most in a season in Monmouth University history. She is also tied at eighth in NCAA Division One history for shutouts. Saturday’s shutout registered as the Hawks’ first ever shutout in NCAA Tournament play.
Penalty kicks is where Monmouth struggled for the day. Knaub allowed a goal as Brown took their first opportunity.
Senior midfielder Jess Johnson scored Monmouth’s first penalty kick, making the score 1-1.
Monmouth did not succeed in their next two attempts taken by sophomore forward Lauren Karabin and junior defender Sarina Jones. Knaub allowed three of Brown’s next shots making the final score in penalty kicks 4-1, putting the Bears on top.
The Hawks’ astounding season does not go unnoticed. This matchup marks Monmouth’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 and it’s also their fourth consecutive. Monmouth ended their season unbeaten in their last 16 games and have won at least 14 games in four consecutive seasons. The Lady Hawks are impressively one of three teams in the country that are unbeaten away from home this season. They finished 7-0-3 on the road.
The senior class finished with a total of 59 career wins, which is the most for any team under Head Coach Krissy Turner and the second most wins in program history.
“We showed up on the national stage and played the same way we have all year, tremendous defense and great attacking soccer. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a goal when we needed one. This season has been truly remarkable, but sadly it ended today,” said Turner. “Our 2019 season was one for the record books. On behalf of our coaching staff, a huge thank you goes to our senior class for leaving behind a legacy of excellence.”
As for Brown, they will face off in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament against #1 Florida State University on Nov. 22 at 5:00 p.m. at Seminole Soccer Complex in Tallahassee, Florida.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
