(Fairfield, CT) – The Sacred Heart Field Hockey team's comeback bid came up just short, as the Monmouth Hawks defeated the Pioneers in a back-and-forth game.

Monmouth struck early for two goals, beginning with Michelle Pieczynski's team leading ninth goal of the season.  She took a pass from Orla Macken across the goal mouth and knocked a one-timer inside the far post at 2:47.  Amanda Schoenfeld added to the lead at 4:13, taking a lead pass from outside by Tara Brown and charging in with good stick work to move around Mary Altepeter (Chesterfield, MO) for an open shot.

SHU cut the deficit in half at 20:01 on a goal by Lindsay Kasten (Fair Haven, NJ).  After sending the ball in on a penalty corner, she went to the front of the net to tip in a drive from the top of the circle by Sarah Bergman (Blandon, PA). 

Karly Duven nearly tied the game seconds into the second half, driving a low shot from the right side into the feet of Hawks goalkeeper Teresa Mathews.  The Monmouth defense was able to clear away the rebound lying at her feet.  However, Stephanie Frye (Walpole, MA) did tie the game with a spectacular goal at 43:51.  With Christine Mace (Norwalk, CT) breaking in down the left side, Frye went hard to the net and dove to knock in Mace's goalmouth cross.

Monmouth retook the lead for good at 47:04 on the second goal of the game by Pieczynski.  Schoenfeld earned the assist, taking a shot from the top of the circle. With the ball trickling behind Altepeter, who laid out to make the initial save, Pieczynski knocked in the rebound. 

SHU nearly tied it three times after.  With 17 minutes left, Sarah Bergman took a shot from the top of the circle that Mathews saved, deflecting it just over the crossbar.  About four minutes later, Bergman once again was denied on the same shot, with Mathew saving the shot by knocking it just wide of the left post.  With about 12 minutes left, the Pioneers were awarded a penalty stroke, but Liz Bergman (Blandon, PA) flipped the shot too high. 

The Hawks added insurance on a goal by Orla Macken at 61:26, who took a shot from the right side sent in on a pass by Trish O'Dwyer on a penalty corner.  Mathews made the lead hold up, making seven saves in the second half for a game-total of nine.  SHU outshot Monmouth 15-6 in the second half and 21-12 for the game.

The Pioneers travel to Western Pennsylvania next weekend, beginning Friday, October 19 at 3:00 pm when they take on the Saint Francis (PA) Red Flash.