Monmouth women’s soccer took care of business and captured its sixth MAAC Tournament title in program history with a decisive 4-0 win against Quinnipiac on Sunday, Nov. 7. This is the sixth championship title in program history.
Monmouth started the offensive attack early in the game. A corner kick delivered by Jesi Rossman led to a Lauren Bruno goal in the first ten minutes of play. Bruno’s goal into the upper corner of the net shot past the Quinnipiac goalie, giving Monmouth a 1-0 lead.
The Hawk’s offensive pressure and Rossman struck again in the 27th minute. Chloe Ferreira passed the ball to A’Liah Moore as she flew up the right side of the field. Rossman finished Moore’s cross running in from the left side. The goal was Rossman’s first goal of the game and her fifth goal for the season.
Monmouth goalie Rebecca Winslow had one save in the first half keeping the team ahead 2-0 going into halftime. The competition in the first 45 minutes was tight with both teams tallying three shots and one corner kick.
Alexis Marino kept the offensive attack going. Just 11 minutes into the second half, Rossman, with two Quinnipiac defenders nearby, sent a pass across the box to Marino. Marino’s first touch sent the ball into the back of the net. That was Marino’s first goal of the game and third goal of the tournament series. Rossman earned her second assist of the game and her ninth for the season.
Lauren Karabin’s fourth goal of the tournament and 10th of the season came in the 82nd minute of play. Karabin buried the ball into the back of the net with the assists coming from Bruno and Moore. This was Moore’s second and Bruno’s first assist in the game.
Monmouth women’s soccer offered outstanding performances from both the offense and defense throughout the championship game. Four different Hawks scored in the match and the defense posted another shutout. Winslow recorded her fifth shutout this season.
“I am so happy for every player on this team,” said Head Coach Krissy Turner. “To earn a shutout in the most important game of the year is incredible. This team overcame so much adversity but they believed in the culture and each other.”
Karabin was named the MAAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, posting four goals in the tournament and ten goals for the season. Karabin, Bruno, Rossman and Winslow were named to the 2021 MAAC Women’s Soccer All-Championship Team.
Women’s soccer qualified for the championship game following a dominating semifinal 4-0 win over Fairfield on Thursday night. Monmouth’s offensive power and defensive strength proved to be too much for the Fairfield Stags.
Monmouth netted their first goal of the match with a header from Jill Conklin. The goal was set up by a strong pass from Ava Allen to Chloe Ferreira. Ferreira then sent a cross into the box for Conklin to finish the play.
The Hawks’ second goal was in the 40th minute of play. Karabin took the free kick following a Stag’s foul just outside the box. Karabin’s shot slammed the inside of the left post and into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Monmouth’s control over the game continued with a third goal in the 48th minute with a powerful shot into the net by Alexis Marino. Marino’s third goal of the season followed less than 10 minutes later.
Jesi Rossman sent a pass down the left side to Karabin, who played a powerful cross into the box. Erin Daily took the pass and sent the ball into the back of the net for her first career goal.
Monmouth’s four goals in a game was a season high, something the Hawks haven’t accomplished since 2019. Monmouth goalies Rebecca Winslow and Maddie Ogden combined for the shutout win.
Monmouth women’s soccer team (15-4-1) will take on Penn State (11-7) in the opening round of the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Soccer Championship Tournament. The Hawks will travel to University Park, PA on Friday, Nov. 12. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on Jeffrey Field.
