Rider Beats Top Seed Monmouth to Advance to Women's Soccer Championship Match
MAAC Sports
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – No. 4 seed Rider University defeated No. 1 seed Monmouth University 1-0 in the second semifinal game of the 2014 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship at Hesse Field on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey.
The first half was a fast pace back and forth match with no team gaining any advantages early on. In the 40th minute after a Monmouth foul and with the Hawks holding an 8-5 shot advantage over Rider, Priscilla Santos scored on a free kick to give Rider a 1-0 lead heading into the half. At the break, Monmouth held a 9-6 shot advantage with Rider owed a 4-3 shots on goal advantage. Monmouth goalkeeper Nicole D’Agostino and Rider goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard both had three saves.
In a physical second half, Monmouth controlled most of the half, with the Hawks missing on several opportunities to score. Monmouth outshot Rider 13-2 in the half for a 22-8 advantage with nine of the shots on goal. Howard made nine total saves in goal for the Broncs, including several key saves late in the match to preserve the shutout. D’Agostino finished her night off with four saves for the Hawks.
Rider was led by Michelle Iacono with two of her three shots on goal, while Monmouth was led by Alexis McTamney who recorded six shots with two of them on goal.
Rider (12-5-2) earns a spot in the championship final on Sunday, November 9 at 3:00 p.m. against second seeded Fairfield University. The winner of the 2014 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championship will earn the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship.
The NCAA Selection Show for Division I Women’s Soccer will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 10 at 4:30 p.m.