Marist University Athletics

(4-6, 0-1 MAAC)

1st 2nd F  Marist 5  5     10     Monmouth  8  5   13  Box Score

(4-7, 2-0 MAAC)

	Stat Comparison Marist  Monmouth  Goals  10 13   Shots  22 32   Assists   6  7   Draw Controls   14  11   Caused Turnovers  8 9   Ground Balls   14  23   Turnovers  22 17   Saves   7  8
	Individual Leaders  Stat  Marist  Monmouth  Goals  Mazza, 3  Smith, 4  Assists  O. Pitonzo, 3  Ceraso, 4  Draw Controls  Wagner, 6  Hart, 4  Caused Turnovers  A. Pitonzo and Childrose, 2  Three with 2   Ground Balls  A. Pitonzo and Witczak, 3  Cortes, 6   Saves  Witczak, 7  Brager, 8
	Up Next Who: Manhattan When: Wed. April 5 - 4 p.m. Where: Riverdale, NY Full Schedule

WEST LONG BRANCH, New Jersey - On a cold afternoon the Marist women's lacrosse team fell to Monmouth, 13-10, in the Red Foxes' 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener April 1. Marist is now 4-6 overall while the Hawks are 4-7, including 2-0 in conference play.

Junior Lauren Mazza netted a hat trick for the Marist offense and senior Olivia Pitonzo chipped in three assists. Senior Alyssa Pitonzo registered team highs of three ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Olivia got the attack clicking as the first half moved on and Mazza's first score of the afternoon at the 11:36 mark tied the score at 3 apiece. The Hawks struck back with four unanswered goals but Marist began to creep back into the game as Foxes cut toward the net. Senior Natalie Bonaroti's goal with 15 seconds left in the opening stanza cut the Monmouth edge to three for the second time, as the Hawks were in front 8-5 by the break.

Both sides scored five goals in the second half in which Monmouth opened up with momentum. Hawks'  freshman Nicole Ceraso had two of her four assists on the day in the first couple minutes.

A 4-1 Marist run that included a free position goal from sophomore Audrey Cerrone made it 11-9 with 12:50 left in the game. The Red Foxes trimmed the lead to two once again when Mazza hit the back of the net inside the final two minutes, but Monmouth held on by controlling its possessions. 

Monmouth came in to the game second in the nation in free position chances, but was held to 0-for-6 by Marist's defense. Hawks' junior Alexa Smith had a game-high four goals and sophomore Riley Brager made eight saves to earn the win.      

Marist will wrap up its longest road trip in program history, a seven-game away stretch, when it plays Manhattan in a midweek matinee. Opening draw is set for 4 p.m. April 5.