WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Monmouth University junior Dana Costello (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial) netted a pair of goals, while classmate Monique Plescia (Norwood, N.J./Northern Valley Regional-Old Tappan) registered two assists, as the Hawks defeated Fairleigh Dickinson 3-1 in Northeast Conference action, on Monday night on The Great Lawn.

 

With the victory, the Hawks improve to 8-5-1 overall, and 5-1 in the NEC, while going 7-1-1 in their last nine matches. FDU falls to 4-7-3 overall and 1-4 in league play.

 

The Hawks opened the scoring in the 18th minute when senior Claudia Vazquez (Belford, N.J./Middletown North) fed Plesica to the left flank, before Plescia one-timed a cross into the box that Costello drilled home past Sage DoVale for her sixth tally of the year.

 

Monmouth doubled its lead at the 39-minute mark when freshman Monique Goncalves (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills) pounded in junior Alexandra Baca's (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) attempt that was originally saved by DoVale, for her second career goal.

 

The Knights cut the lead in half in the 53rd minute when freshman Katey Arathoon tallied her first career goal, depositing a one-timer into the net off a cross from classmate Rachel Hoekstra, for her team-leading 18th point.

 

Plescia and Costello connected once again just 2:29 later in the match, as Plescia's feed found a streaking Costello one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Costello, who beat DoVale to the far post, notched her team-leading seventh goal of the season, and increased her team-leading point total to 17.

 

Monmouth outshot the Knights 16-7 in the match, forcing DoVale to make seven saves in 78:08 of action, while Felicia Burr made no saves for the remainder. Monmouth sophomore goalkeeper Jocelyn McCoy (Crofton, Md./Archbishop Spalding) made four stops in net for the Hawks, who held a 3-1 edge in corner kick opportunities.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Friday night, when the Hawks travel to Brooklyn for an NEC battle at LIU Brooklyn at 6:00 p.m.