WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's soccer team posted its first shutout of the season with a 2-0 victory over Lafayette on Friday night on The Great Lawn. Monmouth, which recorded two straight wins, improved to 3-4 on the year behind tallies from senior Nicole Close (Baldwinsville, N.Y./Baldwinsville) and junior Dana Costello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial).

In the 25th minute, Close tapped in a pass from Costello at the far post to put the Hawks in front 1-0, as Costello's assist led Close to her first score the year, and the senior's third career game-winning goal.

Costello made a magic individual effort in the 76th minute to double the Monmouth lead to 2-0, as the co-captain saved the ball along the endline and notched her fifth goal of the year into the far net by Lafayette goalkeeper Lauren Smedley.

"To get our first shutout is terrific," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "Dana [Costello] scored a world class goal to put the game away for us. The effort and skill to finish that ball was terrific. We are striving to get better each game and tonight we did just that."

Monmouth, which outshot the Leopards 8-0 in the first half, held a 13-2 advantage in shots in the match in the shutout. Monmouth also held a 6-1 edge in corner kick opportunities as well.

Smedley made five saves for Lafayette, while sophomore Jocelyn McCoy (Crofton, Md./Archbishop Spalding) made one save for the Hawks.

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, September 16 when the Hawks host Rider in their final non-conference match of the year, at 6:00 p.m., on The Great Lawn.

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