NEW YORK, N.Y. - Monmouth University senior captain Dana Costello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) tallied a goal and an assist, while freshman forward Alexis McTamney (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown Regional) added her team-best fifth tally in the last three matches, to pace the Hawks to a 2-0 victory at Columbia on Sunday afternoon. With the victory, Monmouth's fourth shutout of the season, the Blue and White improve to 5-0 on the year, its best start since 1995.

 

Monmouth, which limited its opponent to just two shots for a second straight game, helped senior goalkeeper Ashley Lewis (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Boro) register her fourth clean sheet of the season, and lower her goals-against-average to 0.40.

 

"It is terrific to get another shutout on the road," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "This was a difficult week for us with three matches, but we look forward to another week of training to keep getting better."

 

The Hawks got on the board in the 23rd minute when McTamney netted her second game-winner off a feed from Costello. Monmouth, which outshot the Lions 7-1 in the opening stanza, doubled its advantage to 2-0 in the 54th minute when Costello tallied her second goal of the year off a pass from freshman midfielder Julie Spracklin (Eastampton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional).

 

Monmouth outshot Columbia 12-2 in the match, forcing Lions' goalkeeper Grace Redmon to make six saves. Lewis made one stop for the Hawks, who also held a 4-2 edge in corner kick opportunities.

 

In 1995, Monmouth opened the season 6-0, tied a school-record with 17 victories, and captured both the Northeast Conference regular season and tournament championships.

 

Costello, now with 67 career points on 23 goals and 21 assists, moved into 12th place all-time at Monmouth behind her three points on Sunday, surpassing Barbara Callaghan (1985-88; 66 points), Mary Wilks (2007-10; 65) and Jeannette Goepfert (1988-91; 65).

 

Monmouth returns to action on Friday, September 13, when the Hawks travel to Hofstra University for a non-conference match with the Pride at 7:00 p.m., attempting to match the best start in program history.

 

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