FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 27, 2001

MONMOUTH FIELD HOCKEY FALLS IN OVERTIME AT QUINNIPIAC

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Monmouth University held a 2-1 lead for over 30 minutes but the Hawks were unable to hold on for the victory as Quinnipiac University posted a 3-2 overtime win in collegiate field hockey action in Hamden, Conn., on Thursday afternoon.

Quinnipiac (5-2, 5-1 Northeast Conference) took an early lead as Julie Smith scored the first of two goals just over six minutes into the contest.

Monmouth (3-4, 2-2 NEC) responded with an equalizer six minutes later as Kellie Nurko scored on an assist from Gina Chico with 23:40 remaining in the first half. Monmouth went ahead five minutes later as Chico scored on a precision pass from Kristin Haberthur to stake the Hawks to a 2-1 lead.

The Hawks’ lead held up through the intermission, but with 22:28 remaining in regulation, Meredith Klein notched an unassisted goal to even the score at 2-2.

After a scoreless 15 minutes in the first sudden-death overtime and 13 minutes in the second overtime, Julie Smith scored a walk-off goal with 1:44 remaining on the clock to give Quinnipiac the victory.

Despite the loss, Brittany Kershaw performed well in goal for the Hawks. The freshman made 27 saves in the contest and helped send the game to overtime even with Quinnipiac holding a 22-12 shot advantage in the first 70 minutes of play.

Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, September 29 as the Hawks host St. Francis (Pa.) University in an 11:30 a.m. contest at the MU Field Hockey Park.
 

BOX SCORE
                      1 2 ot1 ot2 - F
Monmouth University   2 0 0 0 - 2
Quinnipiac University 1 1 0 1 - 3

QU 1   29:39 Julie Smith (Heather Cady)
MU 1   23:40 Kellie Nurko (Gina Chico)
MU 1   18:37 Chico (Kristin Haberthur)
QU 2   22:28 Meredith Klein (unassisted)
QU ot2  1:44 Smith (Kristin Crosby)

SHOTS: MU – 18, QU – 33
PENALTY CORNERS: MU – 4, QU – 15
SAVES: MU – Brittany Kershaw 27, QU - Sarah Mathers 8