Amanda Knaub recorded her ninth shutout of the season. (Photo courtesy of Monmouth)

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women scored once in each half to upend Niagara University, 2-0, at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn Wednesday morning.

Monmouth (13-3-2, 8-1-0), which won its eighth game in a row, secured the top seed in this season’s Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and at least a share of the conference regular season title.

The Hawks solved the Niagara defense in the 30th minute when Dana Scheriff ran onto a diagonal ball from Jessica Johnson and put it past goalkeeper Sabrina Locas. A half hour later when Jill Conklin volleyed in a corner kick to increase Monmouth’s cushion to two goals over Niagara (8-6-2, 4-5-2).

Goalkeeper Amanda Knaub was credited with one save for her ninth shutout this season.

“We are very excited to secure the No. 1 seed for the upcoming tournament with one game remaining,” head coach Krissy Turner said. “To get another shutout against a dangerous attacking team in Niagara is a great accomplishment.”

The Hawks close the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. when they host Iona College on Senior Night.

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.