FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 10, 2001

HAWKS DROP NORTHEAST CONFERENCE FIELD HOCKEY GAME VS. RIDER

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University dropped a 2-1 contest to Rider University in Northeast Conference field hockey action Wednesday afternoon at the MU Field Hockey Park in West Long Branch, N.J.

With the victory, Rider (7-4, 6-2 NEC) remained just 1 ½ games behind Quinnipiac University for first place in the league standings. Despite the loss, Monmouth (6-6, 5-4 NEC) remains on track to earn a berth in the NEC Tournament. The Hawks are currently in fourth place, one-half game behind Sacred Heart and 1 ½ games ahead of fifth-place Siena. The top four teams in the conference advance to the NEC semifinal at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) on October 26.

After nearly 24 minutes of scoreless action, Rider broke the scoring seal with 11:13 remaining in the first half as Christine Cabarle centered the ball to Kristen Merrill who slapped the ball past the Monmouth defense from eight yards out. The Broncs held on to the lead through the first half and enjoyed a 1-0 advantage at the intermission.

Monmouth registered an equalizer just over 10 minutes into the second half as Gina Chico scored an unassisted goal with 24:21 left in regulation to tie the score at 1-1.

Rider tallied the game-wining goal with 12:31 showing on the clock as Cabarle rifled an entry pass into the circle from the right sideline. An pack of Broncs charged the ball and Janette Freeberg got a stick on it for a one-timer past Brittany Kershaw in goal.

Monmouth held an advantage in shots, 15-13, and penalty corners, 11-3, but Rider was able to prevail thanks to solid goaltending from Jennifer Cushinotto who registered eight saves. Monmouth’s Kershaw had four saves in 70 minutes of play. Monmouth’s Megan Kenney and Kelly Balady and Rider’s Stephanie Corradino all registered defensive saves to prevent three more goals from occuring.

Monmouth returns action on Saturday, October 13 as the Hawks travel to the Crab Cake City for a Noon contest at UMBC.

BOX SCORE

Rider University  1 1 - 2
Monmouth University 0 1 - 1

RU 1 11:13 Kristen Merrill (Christine Cabarle)
MU 2 24:21 Gina Chico (unassisted)
RU 2 12:31 Janette Freeberg (Christine Cabarle)

SHOTS: RU 13, MU 15
PENALTY CORNERS: RU 4, MU 13
SAVES: RU – Cushinotto 8, MU – Kershaw 4

RECORDS: Rider 7-4, 6-2 NEC; Monmouth 6-6, 5-4 NEC