Field Hockey put together a strong week of play as they defeated Albany 1-0 in the second overtime on Friday then notched another win against Columbia at home on Sunday, defeating them 2-1 in a shootout.
With the Hawks win against Albany, it is the first time in program history they defeated a ranked opponent as Albany was ranked 22 at the time. Also, with this win, Monmouth clinched a spot in the American East Championship which will be held on Nov. 7 through Nov.9 and will be hosted by the highest seed in the tournament. This is the first time they will play in this tournament and the 15th time in program history the Hawks clinched a postseason berth.
In the conference matchup, it was all defense as the score was knotted up at zero throughout regular time. The game was even on the stat sheet during the first half as the Hawks held a slight edge in both shots, 6-5 and corners, 5-4
The game was still scoreless by the time the second half started. The Hawks began the second OT with a player-up advantage and capitalized on it quick. Just seconds into the second overtime freshman forward Yasmin Pratt sent a cross to her teammate senior midfielder Josephine van der Hoop who found the back of the cage to send the Hawks home with their first overtime win of the season.
“I am so, so proud of the girls. We have overcome a lot this season in the sense of learning from a lot of our mistakes early on in the year,” said Head Coach Carli Figlio. “This was our first overtime win of the season and I am so proud of the effort and the overall mindset going into this game. I would love to see us continue to climb.”
Van der Hoop’s overtime winner was her 70th career point and she became the 12th Hawk all time to reach that plateau. Monmouth started conference play with a record of 3-0 for the 8th time in program history.
On Sunday, the Blue and White had another matchup at home against the Ivy League’s Columbia for field hockey’s senior day. Sophomore goalkeeper Kate O’Hogan started in cage for the Hawks and was able to make five saves in order to send the game to overtime. Columbia scored their lone goal in the 10th minute to make the score 1-0. The Hawks then answered in the 22nd minute when sophomore forward Annick van Lange scored her 13th goal of the season to tie up the game at 1-1. At the conclusion of the overtime periods, a winner was not yet determined so then came the shootout. Sophomore goalkeeper Ally Tarantino came in as goalie during the shootout.
The Hawks won the shootout 2-0 on goals off the sticks of junior midfielder Ireen Frenken and van Lange. Tarantino successfully defended all shots that came her way to help Monmouth secure their fifth straight win.
“I am happy we were able to get a victory on Senior Day,” said Figlio. “This class has dedicated themselves to this team and this program and I am so proud of who they have become.”
Monmouth has reached the 10-win mark on the season for the eighth time in program history and the seventh time under Figlio. This was Monmouth’s first shootout win of the season. After Sunday’s win, the Hawks have an overall record of 10-4.
Next up for the blue and white comes a three-game road trip which starts against UMass Lowell on Friday at 7:00 p.m.
They then face off against Holy Cross on Sunday at 12:00 p.m.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth Athletics
