FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 24, 2000

MONMOUTH FIELD HOCKEY LOSES TO SACRED HEART, 4-3

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University let an early lead slip away and dropped a 4-3 decision to Sacred Heart University Sunday in Fairfield, Connecticut.

The Hawks (5-5, 4-1 NEC) lost despite outshooting the Pioneers 21-9.

Monmouth took an early lead as Kellie Nurko tallied a goal 5:33 into the game on an assist from Kelly Monahan. The Hawks added a second goal less than six minutes later as Gina Chico scored on an assist from Kristen Haberthur to give Monmouth a 2-0 lead.

The Pioneers stormed back and tallied goals with 13:57 and 10:14 left in the first half with Melissa Smith registering an unassisted goal and Angela Yuhas scoring on an assist from Ashley Anderson to tie the score at 2-2.

Sacred Heart kept the momentum coming out of the intermission and scored the go-ahead goal five minutes into the second stanza as Laura Athans scored the first of her two goals. Athans added a second goal with 18:12 remaining in the game to give the Pioneers a 4-2 edge.

Marie Uzzo scored with 8:14 left in the contest to cut the lead to 4-3, but the Hawks could draw no closer.

Monmouth continues its season Wednesday as they travel to Easton, Pa., for a 3:30 p.m. contest vs. Lafayette College.

SCORING SUMMARY
                                    1 2  Final
Monmouth University (5-5, 4-1 NEC)  2 1 - 3
Sacred Heart (1-8, 1-2 NEC)         2 2 - 4

MU 1 29:27 Kellie Nurko (Kelly Monahan)
MU 1 23:56 Gina Chico (Kristen Haberthur)
SHU 1 13:57 Melissa Smith
SHU 1 10:14 Angela Yuhas (Ashley Anderson)
SHU 2 30:04 Laura Athans
SHU 2 18:12 Laura Athans
MU 2 8:14 Marie Uzzo