Hawks fall short of a come back against Bryant

At 2:04 PM on Saturday, Feb. 15, with flakes falling, the Monmouth Hawks won the first draw of the game against the Bryant University Bulldogs.

Though Monmouth had the first possession of the game, it was Bryant who came up with the first goal by senior attacker, Isabelle Katter, at 12:26 in the first quarter. The Bulldogs kept the pedal to the metal through the end of the first quarter by taking advantage of the Hawks passing struggles, scoring a total of five goals. Bryant’s first four were unanswered until Monmouth’s senior midfielder Danielle McNelly scored with just 1:16 left in the quarter. However, sophomore attacker Gabriella Constant got the last digs for Bryant before heading into the second.

Monmouth was able to lessen the scoring margin in the second quarter, only getting outscored by one goal in the second. Fighting against the snow, the Hawks first and only goal in the quarter was scored by senior attacker, Caroline Brennan, at 13:56 on the game clock. Bryant took the momentum right back a few minutes later with an unassisted goal by Elise Larson. Just two minutes later the Bulldogs got the last licks of the half with a second goal by Constant.

Though Bryant outscored Monmouth by a score of 4-3 in the third, the Hawks started to play an even game. The scoring started with yet another Larsen goal that was shortly followed by a goal by sophomore attack, Caleigh Shore. Shore’s goal was assisted by a fellow midfielder, and fellow sophomore, Sophia Ianno. Another Monmouth goal was followed by Bryant’s first goal of the half from the same attacker as the game’s first goal, Isabelle Katter. The Hawks got one more third quarter goal, a short-handed one at that, from junior attacker, Shea Berigan. Bryant ended the third quarter strongly, getting two more to hit the back of the net from Emily DeGeorge and Amelia Piercy.

Despite their valiant efforts, the Hawks fell just short of beating the Bulldogs on the snowy Saturday. They managed to score the last five goals of the game, but were unable to match Bryant’s game winner, by DeGeorge, that was scored with nearly 12 minutes of playing time left. The Hawks kept fighting to fly away with a win, but even with their six goals scored in the last ten minutes of the game, they were unable. With a final score of 12-11, the Bulldogs walked away with a record of 2-1, leaving the Hawks at 0-3. Although the game did not turn out in Monmouth’s favor, the Hawks proved their grittiness and will to fight through adversities, both of which will prove to be crucial when it comes time for conference play.