WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University dropped its final non-conference match of the season 4-1 to visiting Hofstra University on Sunday afternoon at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn. Monmouth, now 5-3 overall, got its lone score from sophomore forward Erica Murphy (Millstone Township, N.J./Pennington Prep) in defeat.

 

Hofstra opened the scoring in the 38th minute as a defensive miscue allowed Lulu Echeverry send a low cross into the box, which Leah Galton put home past Nicole D'Agostino (Clarendon Hills, Ill./Hinsdale Central/Pitt).

 

The Hawks got the equalizer at the 55:00 mark, when junior Monique Goncalves (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) played a through ball to Murphy, who beat Friederike Mehring to the far post for her first score of the season and the third tally of her career.

 

The Pride reclaimed the lead in the 65th minute when Jeannine Molleda whistled a corner kick to the back six, which Kristen Desmond one-timed home for the 2-1 edge. Desmond netted her second of the match on a penalty kick at 82:34 for the 3-1 advantage.

 

Hofstra netted its final goal in the 90th minute following a foul just outside of the box, as Pride leading scorer Sam Scolarici connected on a free kick for the 4-1 final score.

 

Hofstra outshot Monmouth 16-12 overall, as D'Agostino made three saves in net for the Hawks. Mehring made four stops for the Pride, who also held a 6-5 edge in corner kick opportunities.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Wednesday night, when the Hawks open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with a home contest versus Siena at Hesse Field, at 7:00 p.m.

 

@MUWSoccer -- #FlyHawks