Lexie Palladino scored her eighth goal of the season for Monmouth. (Photo courtesy of Monmouth SID)
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women defeated Rider University, 4-0, to secure the team seventh consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular season championship at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn Saturday afternoon.
“We played a complete game today,” Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner said. “It is terrific for the program to earn our seventh straight regular season conference title. We will continue to strive to improve so that we will be at peak performance at the most important part of the season.”
The Hawks (11-2-2, 9-0-0), who won their 10th sucessive game, were convincing in their efforts with two goals in each half while holding Rider (8-4-4, 5-2-2) without a shot.
Sarina Jones opened the scoring in the ninth minute with a 30-yard run that ended with a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area that snuck under the crossbar.
Monmouth doubled its cushion when Madie Gibson set up Lexie Palladino for a one-timed finish 15 minutes later. Palladino has eight goals and a team-high 16 points.
Five minutes into the second half Lauren Karabin deflected home another Gibson cross for a 3-0 lead. Jill Conklin tacked on the fourth goal in the final minutes off a free kick by Megan Leffler that hit the crossbar.
Monmouth will close its regular season as it hosts Fairfield University at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn on Senior Night Wednesday at 7 p.m.
