On Saturday, April 9, the Monmouth University Women’s Soccer team defeated Niagara in their MAAC Quarterfinal match at Hesse Field on the Great Lawn.
Under the bright lights, the Hawks took control from the very start of their 5:00 game against the Purple Eagles of Niagara with junior forward, Lauren Karabin scoring in the 69th minute of the game. Sarina Jones pursued a throw in which Karabin settled and turned on the bounce, beating Niagara’s sophomore goalie, Clara Bornet.
Throughout the entirety of the game, Bornet was forced to make 11 saves in the game since Monmouth built a 30-4 advantage in shots. The ladies in blue and white had 12 corner kicks, eight of which occurred after halftime, to the Purple Eagles’ one.
Midway through the second half, the Hawks took ahold of the game with Lauren Karabin’s goal assisted by senior defender, Sarina Jones making it her second assist of the year and seventh of her career. Monmouth won 1-0.
Jones spoke on the win saying, “This is the first time since I have been at Monmouth that we played away as the lower seed in the MAAC tournament and the win honestly feels better than winning at home. This year has been a battle with all of our injuries and COVID, so it feels amazing to be able to show the MAAC that we are still in it to win it.”
The 2019 MAAC Championship Most Outstanding Player added, “In today’s game, we knew that we had to give it our all and it was going to be a battle, but the support from the bench was a complete game changer! Playing away is always a challenge, but our bench brought so much energy and excitement to the game that I know every player on the field felt.”
Following their Niagara game, the Hawks (5-1-2) travelled to Hamden, Connecticut to take on Quinnipiac (5-2-1) on Monday in the MAAC Semifinal and won 2-0.
The game was scoreless within the first 45 minutes until Monmouth’s offense put all the pressure on the No. 2 seed Bobcats with Lauren Karabin making her name known once again. Karabin scored her second goal of the tournament after turning the corner on her defender. From the edge of the penalty area, the star forward, pummeled a left-footed shot into the far side of the net.
After a corner kick in the 59th minute, Quinnipiac nearly tied the game but Bobcat midfielder, Fleur Cordier’s shot hit the crossbar and the Hawks were in the clear. As the game came to a close, Karabin found sophomore midfielder and forward, Alexa Correa who after sidestepping a defender, scored from 15 yards out making it her first goal of the season and third of her career. Freshman goalie, Rebecca Winslow, also made a significant impact, making three saves, earning her third career shutout.
With the Hawks win, they have advanced to their fifth consecutive MAAC Tournament Championship and have improved to 14-2 all-time in the MAAC Tournament. Looking ahead, the blue and white will face No. 1 seed, Siena in an away game on Friday.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
