MONMOUTH RECORDS 1-0 WIN AT QUINNIPIAC

by Chris Tobin

September 30, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

HAMDEN, CONN. - For the fourth time in Monmouth's Northeast Conference program history, the women's soccer team opened its league campaign with a fourth straight shutout, as the Hawks defeated Quinnipiac University 1-0 on QU Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon. Monmouth, now 4-0 in the NEC for a second straight year, received the game-winning tally from junior Monique Plescia (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Regional-Old Tappan) in 20th minute to propel the Hawks to a road victory.

Monmouth, unbeaten in its last seven matches (6-0-1), changed the scoreboard when Plescia pounded in a rebound off senior Claudia Vazquez's (Belford, N.J./Middletown North) attempt, which was originally saved by QU goalkeeper Jillian Kelley at 19:37 of the first half.

"Claudia took a great shot from distance and I was there for the rebound and finished it," stated Plescia, who now has 10 career goals, five of which are game-winners. "This is a great win on the road."

Plescia netted her second straight game-winning goal on her third score of the season, while Vazquez was credited with her second assist of the year.

Head coach Krissy Turner commented, "This team has proven that they can be successful on the road and on The Great Lawn. In the NEC, that is a must in order to advance to the playoffs."

The Hawks (7-4-1 overall), which opened the NEC slate 4-0 in 2011, posted five straight NEC shutouts in both 1995 and 2009, while the program record is six in 1999.

Monmouth outshot the Bobcats 10-6 in the match, while sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy (Crofton, Md./Archbishop Spalding) made a pair of saves for the Hawks. Kelley made three stops for Quinnipiac, which held a 6-3 edge in corner kick opportunities.

McCoy, who now has five clean sheets on the year, and 10 in her career, has recorded five shutouts in the Hawks' last six matches.

Quinnipiac falls to 6-3-2 overall and 2-1-1 in the NEC.

Monmouth, which is 5-1-1 at home on The Great Lawn, returns to action on Friday night, October 5 when the Hawks open a two-game weekend homestand versus Sacred Heart (4:00 p.m.) and versus NJ-rival Fairleigh Dickinson (Sunday, October 7 - 6:00 p.m.) on Breast Cancer Awareness Night.

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