WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Unbeaten in its last eight matches, the Monmouth University women's soccer team improved to 12-1-1 overall and 6-0-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) with its 3-0 victory over Rider on The Great Lawn on Wednesday night. The Hawks, who held a 1-0 edge at the half, tallied goals in the 83rd and 88th minutes to seal the home win.

 

Highlighted by a goal and an assist by freshman Julie Spracklin (Eastampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional), and scores from senior Dana Costello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) and freshman Alexis McTamney (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown Regional), the Hawks moved to 8-0 at home on the season.

 

"For the first 25 minutes, that was some of the best soccer we played all season," said head coach Krissy Turner. "Then we relaxed and allowed Rider to gain some confidence. However, another shutout and another home victory is important."

 

Monmouth broke into the scoring column at 8:30 when sophomore Colleen Howard (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross), on a run from the back, was taken down in the box for a penalty kick, which Costello drilled into the net for the 1-0 lead, her sixth goal of the year.

 

After holding back Rider from getting an equalizer, Spracklin gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead in the 83rd minute, as the freshman followed up her own shot that backup goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard originally stopped. Spracklin then fed classmate McTamney in the 88th minute for her team-leading ninth tally of the year, and the 3-0 result.

 

The Blue & White, which generated a 12-3 edge in shots in the first half, held a 22-11 advantage in shots, forcing starter Vanessa Perdomo to make five stops, while Howard made four saves in the second 45 minutes.

 

Monmouth, which posted its tenth team shutout of the season, also had a 6-0 advantage in corner kick opportunities, while fifth-year senior Ashley Lewis (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Boro) made four saves in net for the Hawks.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, October 19, when the Hawks host Marist in MAAC action on The Great Lawn at 7:00 p.m., on Senior Night.

 

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