An early goal from Lilly Ricks, a third-quarter goal from Milla Frye and three goals in the final five minutes sent Monmouth University to their third consecutive Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championship Final as they defeated the Hofstra University field hockey team 5-0 in the CAA semifinals.
This is the Pride’s first appearance in the CAA Championship since 2015, while the Hawks have made it every year since joining the conference in 2022.
Just like the last time these two teams played against each other, Monmouth had the first opportunity to score a goal, as Maia McCourt put a shot on net, but Riley MacIntosh made a defensive save before it crossed the goal line; however, her attempted clearance found the stick of Ricks. Her shot beat Luci Hollister, giving Monmouth an early lead.
The Hawks earned a penalty corner less than five minutes into the game. Lauren Relik’s insertion for Monmouth found the stick of CAA Rookie of the Year, Florence van Doorn, who was robbed by Hollister with a sprawling save.
With 12 seconds left in the first quarter, Monmouth earned another penalty corner. Relik inserted again for the Hawks. The ball found the stick of Frye, and Hollister made a kick save to keep the score at 1-0 through the first 15 minutes.
With about eight minutes left in the second quarter, Monmouth earned their fifth penalty corner of the game. Relik inserted and found van Doorn again. Her original shot was blocked by Jamie Lewis and her second shot missed wide.
Monmouth also had the first chance of the second half from a penalty corner they earned less than six minutes into the third quarter. The ball found the stick of Frye, but her shot was blocked by Teresa Karoff.
Less than two minutes later, Monmouth earned another penalty corner. Hofstra cleared the chance, but Monmouth retained possession of the ball. Frye eventually regained possession and fired a backhanded shot that beat Hollister five-hole and doubled Monmouth’s lead.
Less than five minutes into the final frame, Emily Singer was robbed by Hollister twice.
On the other end, Hofstra went on the counterattack, and Kelly Levengood made her way into the shooting circle, but Charlie Bowman came out of her net to deny the Pride and stop them from getting a shot off.
Hollister wasn’t done making dazzling stops. She made two more sliding saves, to keep the score at 2-0.
Hollister made eight saves and allowed five goals in the loss.
Hofstra denined two Hawks penalty corners, but the Hawks kept possession. Claire Campen tipped a van Doorn pass past Hollister to put Monmouth up 3-0.
Monmouth added to their tally less than four minutes later because Hannah Tromble played a centering pass that took a bounce off a stick and landed in Hollister’s net to give the Hawks a 4-0 lead.
Monmouth delivered an exclamation point about a minute later with a player up. A hard shot from Alicia Vanderlyde beat Hollister at her near post and extended the Monmouth lead to 5-0.
The Pride finished their season at 9-9. This was their first season at a winning percentage of .500 or better since 2015.
