Box Score
The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team fell in its final game of the 2011 season, 2-1, to Monmouth University on Monday, Oct. 31 in West Long Branch, NJ. The Knights finish the season at 4-12-1 (1-9 NEC), while the Hawks extend their season with a playoff spot.
The game, which was originally scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 30 at FDU, was moved to Monmouth due to power outages on campus. Prior to the game, the Monmouth team helped FDU honor eight graduating seniors. Stephanie Austin (Canonsburg, PA/Canon McMillan), Lisa-Marie Curti (Richmond Hill, Ontario/St. Theresa of Lisieux), Amy Flanagan (Freehold, NJ/Freehold), Maureen O'Connell, Alexis Pardo (Valhalla, NY/Westlake), Loren Rich (Northampton, PA/Allentown Central Catholic), Rashidah Sherman (Pelham Manor, NY/Pelham Memorial) and Stephanie Tanzi (Smithtown, NY/Smithtown West) have each played a pivotal role during their time with the Knights.
Monmouth pressured the Knights' backline early in the first half. In the sixth minute, a shot in the six-yard box was blocked by Curti at the left post. Just one minute later a shot from the left side sailed over Tanzi in the goal. Junior Francesca Yaccarine (Freehold, N.J./Red Bank Catholic) was at the far post where she cleared the ball and saved the Knights from an early 1-0 deficit.
The Hawks were awarded another corner kick in the 18th minute. Dana Costello placed the kick in front of the FDU goal where Courtney Snyder put the ball in the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The Knights continued to fight to tie the game through the end of the half. In the 25th minute Flanagan took a free kick that was punched out by the MU goal keeper. Sherman added to the Knights' offensive attack with a lofted shot from outside the 18-yard box that went just high in the 30th minute.
FDU challenged the Monmouth defense early in the second half. Freshman Kasey Schiavoni (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy) took the ball up the left side before crossing it towards the MU goal. Schiavoni's attempt was broken up but gave the Knights offensive momentum.
Midway through the second half the Knights produced several scoring opportunities by good passes from Lindzy Williams (Washington Township, N.J./Westwood), Elizabeth Langer (Clinton, N.J./Voorhees) and Austin but they were unable to get past the MU backline.
Monmouth increased their lead to 2-0 in the 80th minute when Costello and Alexandra Baca fed the ball to Monique Plescia in front of the goal. Plescia kept the ball on the ground, and put it past a diving Tanzi.
In the 85th minute Schiavoni dribbled the ball down the left-side line before passing to the middle to Williams. Williams took the ball to the right side of the penalty box and looked for Sherman in front of the net. Sherman shot the ball past the MU keeper to put the Knights on the scoreboard.
The FDU midfield controlled the ball in the final minutes, giving the team a chance to tie the game. Curti's final attempt was saved in the 88th minute.
The Knights' season concluded with the loss.
