EMMITSBURG, MD. - Monmouth University juniors Dana Costello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) and Monique Plescia (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Regional-Old Tappan) each registered a goal and an assist in the Hawks' 2-0 victory at Mount St. Mary's on Sunday, to finalize the regular season, and secure the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Northeast Conference Tournament.

 

Monmouth (10-6-2), which posted its seventh straight season with double-digit wins, finished the conference slate at 7-2-1 overall, for 22 points, and solidified the No. 2 seed in the Hawks' 15th NEC postseason appearance.

 

Head coach Krissy Turner, who picked up her 90th NEC victory in the process stated, "It was a solid performance for us on the road today. We finished unbeaten on the road (4-0-1) in NEC play, which is a testament to our focus. We are excited to play in the championships next weekend."

 

Costello's goal in the fourth minute was the forward's team-leading eighth of the season, and her third game-winning tally of the year, off a feed from Plescia.

 

Costello, who assisted on Plescia's tally in the 15th minute, along with freshman Monique Goncalves (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional), increased her team-leading point total to a career-best 23 points, while Plescia moved to 14 points.

 

Monmouth outshot the Mountaineers 12-8 in the match, forcing Rachel Bourne to make three saves in the opening stanza, and Vicky Cocozza to make a pair of stops in the second half. 

 

Sophomore Jocelyn McCoy (Crofton, Md./Archbishop Spalding) made four saves in net for the Hawks, and registered her sixth shutout of the year.

 

The Blue and White also held a 7-2 edge in corner kick opportunities.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Friday, November 2 in the semifinals of the NEC Tournament, which will be held at the home of the top-seeded Saint Francis University Red Flash for a second straight season. Also for a second straight year, the Hawks will face LIU Brooklyn in the semifinals, while SFU will battle Sacred Heart in the other semifinal in Loretto, Pa.