TEANECK, N.J.- The first major snowfall of the season forced FDU and Monmouth to change their Valentine's Day plans this year. Instead of a date in Long Branch, the two teams met in Teaneck on Wednesday afternoon and the Hawks comfortably strolled to a 20-6 win. The Knights have now dropped their first two contests of the 2024 season, both of which have been played on their home turf.
Fresh off being named the NEC Rookie of the Week,
Nora Codianni kept the good vibes going with a goal and an assist for FDU. The freshman midfielder has now enjoyed back-to-back multi-point games to begin her career.
Despite Codianni's efforts, it was Monmouth's Caroline Brennan who stole the show. The attacker scorched the Knights' defense for six total goals. This matches a career-high for the 2022 MAC Rookie of the Year. It is already the second time she has hit this mark this season and the third in her career. FDU is the second NEC opponent Brennan has posted six goals against (Central Connecticut, 2/20/22).
On the team side of things, it was Monmouth hunting on the offensive end early. They scored seven-straight goals to open the scoring at University Stadium. Early in the second quarter, FDU found some footing thanks to goals from
Riley Eaton and Codianni and cut the lead to five. FDU never came any closer though as the Hawks ripped off a 5-1 run to close the first half with a 12-3 lead.
Monmouth outshot the Knights 29-11 in the first half and won 12 of 16 draw controls. In the end, the shots' column read 44-20 in favor of the visitors. The Knights were able to salvage five of 11 second-half draw controls.
The opening 30-minutes also saw the first-career goal for
Maeve Chamberlin.
So, after rookies scored two of three FDU goals in the first half, it was the Knights' veterans doing the scoring in the second. Eaton, who finished with two,
Brielle McInaw, and
Jordan Santana all tallied goals before the final horn blew. Monmouth hit twine eight more times themselves and held on for a 20-6 victory.
Skylar Goodman was tested often and battled for 16-saves, smashing her career-high by five saves. The sophomore netminder also picked up career save number 100 in the loss.
The Knights continue their stretch of four home games in 11 days with a Friday afternoon tilt against La Salle. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start at University Stadium and will be aired on NEC Front Row.
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