Monmouth Women’s Soccer opened its season on Hesse Field in West Long Branch, New Jersey, with a 1-0 victory over Manhattan. The win set an early tone for the Hawks, who controlled much of the game and limited their opponents to few clear chances.
Goal in the 45th minute
Ashley Lavrich broke the deadlock in the 45th minute, converting a well‑placed pass from Evangeline Perdomo into the decisive goal. The strike came just before halftime and gave Monmouth a slim but crucial lead.
Goalkeeper Tallulah Miller was instrumental in preserving the shutout, making several key saves early in the match. Her glove stop in the third minute and a sharp reaction save in the 13th minute kept Manhattan from equalising.
Monmouth outshot Manhattan 17-13, with eight of those attempts on target. The Hawks maintained possession superiority in the second half, restricting Manhattan to just four shots on goal during that period.
Penalty saved and defensive resilience
In the 64th minute, Evangeline Perdomo earned a penalty that was brilliantly denied by Manhattan’s Margaret Brunk. The save kept the score intact and highlighted the tight defensive battle. The backline, featuring Charlee Perna, Cadi Hoke and Grace Notarfrancesco, combined with Miller’s vigilance to secure the clean sheet.
Overall, the performance demonstrated a balanced approach: a timely offensive strike, a stingy defense, and disciplined midfield play. With key contributors like Lavrich, Perdomo, Bogue and Miller stepping up, the Hawks enter the remainder of the schedule with confidence and a solid foundation.