Madie Gibson had a late close encounter but was called offside. (Photo courtesy of the Monmouth SID)

PHILADELPHIA – The Monmouth University women earned their second consecutive shutout after playing Drexel University to a scoreless draw at Vidas Field Thursday night.

The Hawks controlled the match from the outset and shined in the first 45 minutes, but were unable to solve keeper Libby Baeza. Monmouth’s Jill Conklin generated the best chance when her 27-yard blast struck the crossbar in the eighth minute.

Senior Madie Gibson looked like she would put Monmouth in front in the 78th minute, but her goal was disallowed after she was called offside.

“The first half was our best soccer of the year,” Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner said. “Unfortunately we didn’t score a goal or two in that time. We will continue to work on our play in the final third to gain more confidence in front of goal.”

The Hawks outshot Drexel, 15-6, including 11-1 in the first half.

Amanda Knaub made two saves in goal for the Hawks to collect her third clean sheet of the season as she has not allowed a goal in 216:43. Knaub has 33 career shutouts.

Monmouth resumes its four-game road trip when they travel to the University of Texas Sunday at 2 p.m.

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.