The Monmouth University field hockey team (3-5, 1-0 CAA) beat the Wagner Seahawks (4-4) at home on Sunday, Sept. 25.
The 3-2 victory for the Hawks snapped a four-game losing streak after facing only top-20 ranked opponents for the last six games in a row.
Monmouth’s Annick van Lange buried the game-winning goal to put the Hawks up 3-2 halfway through the first period of overtime, her fifth goal of the season and second of the game. The matchup against Wagner also marked van Lange’s second multi-goal game of the season, the first coming against Fairfield earlier in the season. Van Lange leads the Hawks with 12 points on the season, followed by Aylin Aufenacker with eight points on the season.
Monmouth dominated the game with 18 shots, the most in a single game this season. The Hawks also earned more shots on goal than the Seahawks, holding a notable 15-7 advantage over the visiting team. Monmouth is now 2-2 in overtime deciding games in the 2022 season.
This win was the result of a huge team effort, with four Hawks tallying assists in the game. Sophomore Johanna Karlhuber scored her first career goal from a cross pass inside the left goal post during the third quarter, assisted by freshman Rosa Boender. Van Lange added to the lead after scoring her fourth goal of the season off a corner in the third quarter, assisted by Meis Kengen and Bente Steenhorst. The Hawks ended the third quarter with a 2-0 lead, entering the final quarter of regulation play with a clear competitive edge over Wagner.
The Seahawks fought to tie the game before the end of regulation, scoring in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. Liselotte Koop scored off a corner assisted by Julia Pastorino and Kira Mordvinov deflected one into the goal from Kayla Kruk to tie the game 2-2, sending the game into sudden death in overtime. Wagner’s Daisy Ruhle made 10 saves in goal to keep the score even and carry the game past regulation.
Halfway through the overtime, Monmouth earned an attacking corner and took full advantage of it. This was Monmouth’s seventh corner of the game, far surpassing the four earned by Wagner. Katie Yoder inserted the ball to van Lange, where she netted her fifth goal of the season and second of the game to earn the overtime win for the Hawks.
Monmouth head coach Carli Figlio shared “I was happy to see some of the things we are working on come to light today and walk away with the win. We are excited to refocus and continue conference play on Friday.”
The Monmouth field hockey team looks forward to another home game on So Sweet A Cat Field on Friday, Sept. 30 for a 3 p.m. matchup with their second CAA opponent No. 17 William & Mary. Notably, the Hawks have faced and lost to William & Mary in 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons.
