FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 7, 2001
 

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University’s lacrosse team opened Northeast Conference play with 10-9 victory over the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Saturday afternoon at Kessler Field in West Long Branch, New Jersey.

For the Hawks (4-5, 1-0 NEC), the victory was their first-ever vs. UMBC and snapped a six-game losing streak to the Retrievers, including losses to UMBC in each of the last three NEC Championship Games.

“This is a big victory for us,” Monmouth head coach Sue Cowperthwait said. “The Retrievers are a very good team and has played tough competition all year. They were nationally ranked just a few weeks ago. It is good for us to get a win like this.”

Monmouth took control early with three goals in the first 6:09 of play as Rebekah Murphy, Stephenie LaGrossa and Jess Salvesen each lit the lamp for the Hawks. UMBC trimmed the lead to 3-2 as Jamie Gerhart and Amanda Eldridge put the ball into the back of the net at the 21:15 and 15:51 marks, respectively.

The Hawks took a 5-3 lead with 8:17 remaining in the first half as Salvesen and Meg Brown sandwiched scores around a goal by UMBC’s Renee Tirocchi.

In the final eight minutes of the first half, UMBC exploded for three goals and took a 6-5 lead into the intermission. Stephanie Allen, Eldridge and Lauren Traber each tallied goals in the waning moments of the first half.

Monmouth regained the lead early in the second half as Brown tallied two goals in the first 5:53 to give the Hawks a 7-6 advantage. UMBC’s Traber scored an equalizer at with 23:44 remaining to tie the contest at 7-7.

Goals by Salvesen, Heather Bryan and LaGrossa gave Monmouth a 10-7 advantage with 8:18 and Monmouth sailed to the victory despite late goals by Tirocchi and Kim Brown.

Monmouth’s attack was led by Salvesen with three goals and an assist. Meg Brown added three goals. LaGrossa chipped in with two goals and an assist. Stacy Makris posted a strong performance in goal as she registered 14 saves.

UMBC’s assault was led by Triocchi, Eldgridge and Traber who each tallied three goals.

Monmouth returns to action on Sunday as the Hawks host Mount St. Mary’s in a 1 p.m. contest at Kessler Field.