Rutgers University has consistently set the bar for division one collegiate athletics in NJ. Whether it be because of its involvement in a nationally recognized conference like the BIG 10 or their countless championships from their time in the Big East, Rutgers has been the standard. As the lone NJ. representative in FBS football, the Scarlet Knights have cast a shadow over most other in state division one schools.
The University men’s and women’s track and field teams competed at Princeton University on Saturday where both teams finished second to Princeton, with many Hawks having strong races.
Miles Austin, Jose Gumbs, Chris Hogan: all former Hawks who continued to make names for themselves in the game of football. Since former Monmouth star Miles Austin found his way from the Jersey Shore to Dallas, TX, the NFL Draft process has found its way to West Long Branch, NJ.
In November, Monmouth University Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Marilyn McNeil, after consulting with the University’s Trustees, announced that the men’s and women’s swimming programs would be reintroduced as NCAA Division I sports at the school. Today, Monmouth has announced that Monmouth County native Matt Nunnally, who has coached at the Division I level for 20 years, has been appointed the head coach of the reintroduced men’s and women’s swimming programs.
The women’s tennis team moved to 2-13 on the season after splitting this past weekends matches against George Mason and Manhattan. MU first fell to George Mason 6-1 on Saturday, April 11 before bouncing back and beating MAAC foe Manhattan 5-2 the very next day. The Hawks will host Quinnipiac this Saturday, April 18 in another conference showdown set for 11:00 am
The women’s lacrosse team extended their winning streak to five games this past week to improve to 8-3 overall on the season, and are currently tied with Fairfield and Canisius for first place in the MAAC at 3-0.
The baseball team lost two out of three games to conference rivals, the Quinnipiac Bobcats, this past weekend. The Hawks started their weekend by splitting a doubleheader on Saturday and losing their final game, 5-3, on Monday.
The Monmouth University men’s and women’s outdoor track and field teams were at two different meets this weekend, with half the team competing at the Colonial Relays for track events and the Liberty Collegiate Invitational for field events.
Freshman Bryce Wasserman made six goals to help the men’s lacrosse team see a 10-7 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) win over the Canisius Golden Griffs on Saturday afternoon at Monmouth Stadium. Three of Wasserman’s six goals were scored in the fourth quarter giving the freshman a new career high.
Junior Marial Pierce was named the MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week on Monday. In the Hawks’ overtime win over Quinnipiac Pierce scored three goals, including the game winner with just over five minutes to play. Pierce led MU in goals, total points, groundballs, draw controls, and caused turnovers over the course of the week.