The Monmouth women’s lacrosse team put together one of its most complete performances of the season on April 18, defeating Old Dominion 9–5 at Kessler Stadium. The victory, which came on Senior Day, was fueled by a dominant showing from graduate attacker Grace Curtin and a defensive unit that controlled the game from start to finish.
The Hawks wasted no time getting on the board, as senior midfielder Brooke Lacey opened the scoring early in the first quarter. However, Old Dominion responded with two straight goals to take a 2–1 lead midway through the period. Monmouth avoided entering the second quarter trailing thanks to Curtin, who scored in the closing seconds of the first to even the game at 2–2. That late goal shifted momentum and gave the Hawks a spark heading into the second quarter.
Monmouth took full advantage of that momentum in the second frame. Curtin continued to lead the offense, scoring twice more to complete a first-half hat trick. Her ability to find space and finish opportunities proved to be a major difference-maker. She received support from graduate attacker Lauren Rismani and senior midfielder Sophia Lymberis, who each contributed assists as the Hawks built a 4–2 halftime lead. While the offense found its rhythm, the defense was equally impressive, holding Old Dominion scoreless for the entire second quarter.
The Hawks’ defensive effort was one of the key storylines of the game. Monmouth held Old Dominion to just five goals on 19 total shots, while also forcing 20 turnovers. The team dominated ground balls, finishing with a 24–12 advantage, which allowed them to control possession and limit second-chance opportunities. Goalkeepers Gia Mitchell and Katie Sullivan played a strong game in net, making key saves to maintain the lead. The defensive unit’s communication and ability to disrupt passing lanes played a crucial role in slowing down Old Dominion’s attack.
Old Dominion attempted to claw back into the game early in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 4–3. However, Monmouth quickly responded with a pair of goals to regain control. Rismani scored, capitalizing on an assist from Curtin, and Curtin followed with another goal of her own to push the lead to 6–3. This stretch highlighted the Hawks’ efficiency in extra-player situations, as they consistently made the most of their opportunities.
The fourth quarter provided some late drama, as Old Dominion scored twice to narrow the margin to 6–5 with just over six minutes remaining. Despite the pressure, Monmouth remained composed and delivered a decisive response. The Hawks closed the game on a 3–0 run, with goals from midfielders Marlaina Grimm, Curtin, and senior attacker Shea Berigan. Two of those goals came during man-up situations, further emphasizing Monmouth’s ability to execute in critical moments. That late surge sealed the 9–5 victory and ensured there would be no comeback from Old Dominion.
Curtin was the standout performer of the game, finishing with a career-high five goals and one assist for a total of six points. Her performance marked another strong outing in what has been an impressive stretch of games. Rismani also played a key role, tallying one goal and two assists while continuing to be one of the team’s primary playmakers. Grimm added a goal and an assist, while Lymberis contributed two assists. Lacey and Berigan each found the back of the net as well, showcasing the team’s balanced offensive effort.
Overall, the win improved Monmouth’s record to 9–7 and demonstrated the team’s ability to perform at a high level in all phases of the game. The combination of strong offensive execution, disciplined defense, and timely scoring proved to be the difference. With momentum on their side following a Senior Day victory, the Hawks will look to carry this performance into their upcoming matchup against Towson on April 25 at home as they continue to push toward the end of the season.
