WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Monmouth University junior Rachael Ivanicki (Marlboro, NJ/Colts Neck) tallied her ninth goal of the season and her sixth game-winner of the year, as the Hawks defeated Manhattan 1-0 on Wednesday night on Hesse Field to clinch a first round bye in the upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament.

 

Monmouth, 12-2-2 overall, stands at 8-1 in the league, while completing its seventh unbeaten season at home (8-0-1).

 

"Tonight was a solid win for us against a well-organized Manhattan team," stated head coach Krissy Turner. "To get a shutout is a huge credit to our back four and Sydney."

 

Ivanicki, who has scored the game-winner in three straight matches for the Hawks, registered the decisive goal in the 79th minute, off an assist from junior Erica Murphy (Millstone Township, NJ/Pennington Prep).

 

The Hawks outshot Manhattan 13-3 in the contest, forcing Jaspers' goalkeeper Kristen Skonieczny to make five saves, while junior Sydney Lavan (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Memorial) made two saves to earn her seventh shutout of the year.

 

Manhattan (9-4-2, 5-1-2) entered the match as the lone unbeaten side in the conference and had yielded just one goal in league play.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Saturday, October 24 when the Hawks travel to Niagara for their final regular season contest. With a win or tie against the Purple Eagles, Monmouth would clinch a third straight MAAC Regular Season Championship. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.

 

@MUWSoccer -- #FlyHawks