After a weekend of CAA play, the Monmouth University women’s soccer team (10-2-1, 3-1-1 CAA) prepares for its final few regular season matches having added yet another win to their impressive record, taking on the Hampton Pirates at home on Thursday, Oct. 6.
Monmouth defeated the Pirates (1-10-0, 0-5-0 CAA) 3-1 in a stunning offensive showcase, pushing through a physical and intense 90 minutes. The match marked the first-ever meeting between the two teams.
The match gradually increased in intensity, with the first minutes of play seeing some opportunities on both sides of the field, but no shots found the back of the net. However, in the 20th minute, graduate forward Lauren Karabin became the first of several Hawks to score, with her goal assisted by sophomore defender Chloe Ferreira. Karabin nodded home a header for her third goal this season, and 21st of her career. Just 12 minutes later, freshman forward Summer Reimet dispatched a penalty kick in the 32nd minute, earning her fifth goal of the season.
Entering the second half, Monmouth continued to generate scoring chances and compete as the match intensified. In the 67th minute, junior forward Rachel Ludwick earned her fourth goal of the season, shooting the ball just under the crossbar for the Hawks’ goal of the match. Although the Pirates responded with their first goal of the game less than a minute later, work from Monmouth’s backline, including goalie freshman Brooke McKown, who entered the game as a substitute for junior starter Cassie Coster, ensured that the Pirates’ first and only goal of the game would be for consolation.
The win did not come without spirited efforts, however. The match was physical and intense, with Monmouth being called for five fouls and Hampton for 11, including two yellow cards for the visitors. Hampton goalie Alexis Deveaux had an amazing performance between the sticks, producing a total of nine saves from Monmouth’s 12 shots on goal. Deveaux was also peppered by 15 corner kicks from the Hawks, a result of the Hawks’ domination of ball possession for the majority of the game.
Overall, the match was yet another display of how strong of a team Monmouth is and can continue to be in their new conference home. The Hawks’ midfield and backline, which has given up more than one goal just once in their past 13 games, suffocated Hampton’s midfield and attack from the opening kickoff. The Pirates managed just three shots on target, and six shot attempts in total. In addition, the Pirates were not awarded a single corner and recklessly conceded 11 fouls.
Multiple Hawks also had notable performances and firsts in the matchup. Ludwick, for instance, continued to produce a chunk of the Hawks’ offense, accounting for eight of the total 29 shots Monmouth was awarded, four of which were on target. The match also marked goalie Brooke McKown’s first career appearance. However, the game was also significant for the program and team as a whole. 23 different Hawks players checked into the match, and defender Holly Burns made her first career start. In addition, and excluding the 2020-2021 season that had been shortened, the 10th win for the Hawks marked the 16th consecutive year the program has earned at least 10 wins. After their dominant win against Hampton on Thursday, the Hawks take on the Delaware Blue Hens at Hesse Field on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. as they approach the end of their regular season.
