Sept. 15, 2004

Box Score

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (www.lafayette.edu) - Junior forward Maureen Masto's four-point night led Monmouth to a 3-2 win over Lafayette in women' soccer action on Wednesday.

The match, played in a steady rain, was a classic back-and-forth affair, with Lafayette taking an early lead, Monmouth scoring twice to lead at halftime, the Leopards drawing even early in the second half and Monmouth quickly answering with the eventual game-winning goal.

Masto, who tallied nine points in 11 matches before a season-ending injury as a sophomore, contributed to all three Hawk goals, scoring once and assisting on a pair.

Sophomore forward Kelli McMahon put the Leopards (2-4) on the board just 7:59 into the match. McMahon took a centering pass from Ellie Burke and rocketed a shot over the Monmouth keeper's head from 30 yards out for her third goal of the season.

The Hawks netted the equalizer at 11:15. Masto found Kate Sands on the left wing, who buried a left-footed shot in the right side of the net to even the score at one.

Just over eight minutes later, Masto put Monmouth (2-3) in front for the first time. A loose ball in the box found its way to Masto's foot, and she was able to get enough on it to knock it into the goal. The Hawks' 2-1 lead would hold up through halftime.

Junior midfielder Jennifer Ryan pulled the Leopards even 7:48 into the second half. Ryan found herself with the ball and her back to the goal just over 30 yards out. She managed to turn on her defender and drive a shot past the Monmouth keeper from 30 yards to knot the score at two.

Masto struck again, however, setting up the game-winner just 2:03 later. She played a square pass to a wide-open Brittani Heller who finished the play for her first collegiate goal at 54:51.

Senior Amy Kalista was again solid in the net, keeping the Leopards in the match as Monmouth continually pushed play into its offensive end in the first half. In the fourth minute, Kalista managed to tip a shot over the crossbar and keep the match scoreless in the opening minutes. Kalista finished with six saves, including four in the first half.

Monmouth held a 17-9 edge in shots, including 11-3 in the first half, and 11-1 advantage in corners, including 8-1 in the first stanza.

Lafayette opens Patriot League play on Saturday, hosting Lehigh at the Metzgar Fields Athletic Complex at 7 p.m.