FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 25, 2000

MONMOUTH FIELD HOCKEY SECURES FIRST WINNING SEASON

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University’s field hockey team is guaranteed the first winning season of its brief four-year history following a 3-2 overtime victory over LaSalle University at Hank DeVincent Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Wednesday afternoon.

The victory boosted Monmouth’s ledger to 11-8 on the season heading into the Northeast Conference tournament this weekend.

Sophomore Kellie Nurko scored the walk-off goal on an assist from Marie Uzzo 1:25 into sudden-death overtime to give Monmouth the victory.

Monmouth drew first blood in the contest as senior Beth Watts registered an unassisted goal in the 15th minute of play. The Explorers wasted no time in tying the score as Amanda Spalding scored on an assist from Caitlin Coupe just over two minutes later to even the score at 1-1.

Monmouth controlled the tempo much of the contest but could not pull away. The Hawks outshot the LaSalle 16-4 and MU also held a 12-6 advantage in penalty corners.

Monmouth regained the advantage with 8:55 left in regulation as freshman Katie Niemczyk scored her first collegiate goal on an assist from Marie Uzzo that give the Hawks a 2-1 margin. Once again, the Explorers answered quickly with an equalizer as Jami Willis scored on an assist from Laura Whitman to knot the score at 2-2 with 5:10 left in the second half and send the game into overtime.

Monmouth, the Northeast Conference regular-season champion, hosts the NEC tournament this weekend at the MU Field Hockey Park. Monmouth is scheduled to play Rider University in the first semifinal game at 11 a.m. on Saturday. The second semifinal booked for 3 p.m. Saturday features Quinnipiac University and Sacred Heart University. The winners of Saturday’s contests will meet in the championship game Sunday at 2 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

Monmouth   1 1 1 - 3
LaSalle    1 1 0 - 2

MU 1 20:26 Beth Watts
LU 1 18:23 Amanda Spalding (Caitlin Coupe)
MU 2 8:55 Katie Niemczyk (Marie Uzzo)
LU 2 5:10 Jami Willis (Laura Whitman)
MU OT 13:35 Kellie Nurko (Marie Uzzo)

Shots: MU 16, LU 4.
Saves: MU Urbanowicz 0, Hope 11.
Penalty Corners: MU 12, LU 6.