WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team fell of the Hawks of Monmouth, 3-1, on Monday, Oct. 8.  With the loss the Knights fall to 4-7-3 on the year with a 1-4 mark in Northeast Conference action, while the Hawks improve to 8-5-1 with a 5-1 conference record.

The Hawks used two first-half goals to secure the win over FDU.  Katey Arathoon (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's ) recorded her first collegiate goal in the 52^nd minute on a pass from Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) but a third goal from Monmouth sealed the win.

Although the Knights produced several offensive opportunities early in the game, Monmouth took the lead in the 18^th minute and maintained the lead through halftime.

A run down the left side produced the chance for the Hawks.  Claudia Vazquez crossed the ball into the box where Monique Plescia one-touched the ball toward Dana Costello.  Costello did not hesitate and found the back of the net to put the Hawks up 1-0 midway through the half.

Monmouth increased their advantage to two goals in the 39^th minute when a series of shots was stopped by FDU goal keeper Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill).  The second shot of the chaos was blocked when Monique Goncalves accepted the rebound and fired to score. 

The Hawks held the shot advantage in the first half, 9-4, with seven shots on goal.  Each of the seven shots was produced by a different player.  Hoekstra led the Knights' offense with three shots, all on goal in the first half.

The Knights made several offensive changes at halftime and pressured Monmouth early in the second half.  In the 53^rd minute Hoekstra won the ball on the left side of the penalty box and dished it toward the center where Arathoon fired a shot that found the back to the end and brought the score to 2-1.

Just two minutes later Plescia found Costello on the left sideline where Costello ran through the FDU backline.  DoVale challenged Costello off the line but Costello's shot barely found the far edge of the goal to give Monmouth a 3-1 advantage.

The Knights continued to create calculated offensive opportunities and saw shots from senior Julie Woolridge (St. John's, Newfoundland/Bishops College) and Hoekstra in the closing minutes of the game.

Overall, the Hawks outshot the Knights, 16-7, with a 10-5 benefit in shots on goal.  

DoVale made seven saves and allowed three goals before an injury forced FDU to make a goal keeper change.  Freshman Felicia Burr (Bellingham, Mass./Blackstone-Millville ) made her first collegiate appearance, playing 12 minutes.

The Knights return to action on Friday, Oct. 12 as part of a Northeast Conference double header at University Stadium.  They will host Wagner in a 4 p.m. kickoff before the FDU men's steam faces Sacred Heart at 7 p.m.