WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's soccer team defeated Niagara University 3-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action on Saturday afternoon on Hesse Field on The Great Lawn, on Breast Cancer Awareness Day. Monmouth, which improved to 8-4 overall, won its second straight, and tallied the most single-game goals against Niagara this season.

 

Monmouth, which got goals from sophomore forward Alexis McTamney (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown), junior midfielder Brianne Boyle (Hazlet, N.J./Hazlet) and senior back Kristen Brett (Hebron, Conn./RHAM), and a pair of assists from senior back Alexa Freguletti (Mahwah, N.J./Mahwah), improved to 3-1 in conference with its defeat of the league-leading Purple Eagles.

 

Niagara, which surrendered just six goals in its first 10 matches, and led the MAAC with its 0.55 goals-against-average, falls to 6-2-3 overall and 2-1-1 in the league.

"Today was a solid win at home," stated head coach Krissy Turner, whose side generated a season-high 12 corner kicks. "We created numerous good chances and had some excellent wide play that led to crosses and many corner kicks."

 

McTamney netted her 15th career goal to give Monmouth a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute as she chipped in a shot from Freguletti, which was originally saved by Niagara goalkeeper Claire Feiertag.

 

The Hawks doubled their advantage to 2-0 in the 78th minute when Boyle slammed home a rebound off a save of another Freguletti shot on goal, while Brett nodded in her first career goal off senior Breynn Collazo's (Wall, N.J./Wall) corner kick service in the 83rd minute for the 3-0 edge.

 

The Purple Eagles countered with a score in the 88th minute, as Naomi Giovino netted her first of the season, off a feed from Hayley Besaw, her team-best sixth assist of the year.

 

Monmouth held a 20-11 advantage in shots, forcing Feiertag to make seven saves, while graduate student netminder Nicole D'Agostino (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central/Pitt) made three stops in goal for the Blue & White.

 

Turner added, "We have a big week coming up with two games on the road that will continue to challenge us."

 

Monmouth returns to action on Wednesday, October 8, when the Hawks travel to Manhattan College for a 7:00 p.m. MAAC match.

 

@MUWSoccer -- #FlyHawks