WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women's soccer team registered its third straight shutout victory to open Northeast Conference play, as the Hawks defeated Robert Morris University 2-0 on Friday night, on The Great Lawn. Monmouth, which is unbeaten in its last six matches (5-0-1), received a pair of header goals from junior Monique Plescia (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Regional-Old Tappan) and freshman Brianne Boyle (Hazlet, N.J./Raritan) in the victory.

 

The Hawks, now 6-4-1 overall and 3-0 in the NEC, got on the scoreboard in the 30th minute when Plescia nodded in a free kick service from classmate Dana Costello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) past Colonial starting keeper Chelsea De Jager for her second score of the season.

 

Monmouth pushed its advantage to 2-0 just 1:36 before the intermission, when Boyle ran on to a freshman Colleen Howard (Mount Laurel, N.J./Holy Cross) service and headed it past De Jager for her second career goal, in a second straight game.

 

Monmouth, which honored U.S. National Team Captain and three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Christie Rampone pregame, posted its fourth overall clean sheet, as sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy (Crofton, Md./Archbishop Spalding) made a pair of saves for the Hawks.

 

"Tonight was a terrific team performance," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "Another shut out is a testament to our commitment to minimize the chances we allow the opposition. We were honored to have Christie Rampone in attendance and that was truly special for our fans and team."

 

Monmouth outshot the Colonials 23-6 in the match, including 13-1 in the opening half and 10-5 in the second stanza. The Hawks, who had attempts from Boyle and freshman Monique Goncalves (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) hit the post, also held an 8-3 advantage in corner kick opportunities.

 

De Jager made five saves in the opening 45 minutes for RMU, while Rebecca Schoenecker made five stops in the second half in net for the Colonials. Robert Morris falls to 0-10-2 overall with the loss and 0-1-1 in the NEC.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, when the Hawks travel to Hamden, Connecticut to face Quinnipiac University at 1:00 p.m.