WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women opened their home schedule with a 1-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn Friday afternoon.

The Hawks won their eighth consecutive match at home.

Sophomore Dana Scheriff netted the game-winner in the 78th minute by finishing a cross by Rachelle Ross. Ross sprinted down the left sideline and sent the bouncing ball into the penalty area where Scheriff used her left foot to beat goalkeeper Amanda Fitzgerald.

On the other end of the field, Monmouth keeper Amanda Knaub made three saves, including a diving effort a little more than 10 minutes before Scheriff’s deciding goal. The visitors also hit the crossbar earlier in the second half, but were unable to solve Knaub, who earned her second clean sheet.

“A victory and a shutout is a great night for us at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn,” Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner said. “Dana’s goal was the result of an excellent buildup and was a terrific finish.”

The Hawks host Seton Hall as part of Team IMPACT night Monday at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.