Dragons Fall to Monmouth in CAA Semifinals, 2-1

Friday, November 8

Philadelphia, Pa.

12:00 p.m.

Drexel University

(14-5)

Monmouth

(12-6)

MON

Drexel

Dragons Fall to Monmouth in CAA Semifinals, 2-1

11/8/2024 2:06:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Monmouth scored a pair of goals in the third quarter and held on to defeat Drexel, 2-1, in the CAA Semifinals held at Buckley Field. The Dragons fell to 14-5 on the season, while the Hawks (12-6) advanced to the title game to play the winner of the Northeastern-Delaware game.

The Dragons got on the board early in the game. Kenzie Lever caused a turnover at the top of the circle which led to a penalty stroke. Marti Sanabria stepped up to take the stroke and blasted a shot into the lower left corner as the home fans erupted. That goal stood up as the Dragons led at the end of the first, 1-0.

Drexel kept the pressure on in the second quarter. Natalie Foster had a chance midway through the second to give the Dragons some cushion, but Monmouth's Jesse Eiselin made a pad save to keep the lead to just a goal. The teams went to intermission with Drexel ahead, 1-0. The Hawks had four corners in the first half, but the Dragons were able to keep Monmouth off the board. Drexel's Alana Poole made a big save with 3:31 to play before the half.

In the third, the Hawks got on the board six minutes into the quarter. Milla Frye evened the game at 1-1 on a reverse chip from the top of the circle that beat Poole. Later in the quarter, the Hawks took the lead with 2:27 to play in the third. Claire Campen fired a reverse chip from the left side across the goal into the right corner, making a 2-1 contest. The Hawks had six of the seven shots in the quarter.

Drexel turned up the intensity in the fourth quarter and controlled most of the frame. The Dragons had numerous opportunities to score and held the Hawks without a shot for the final 15 minutes. Twice Drexel Head Coach Denise Zelenak pulled her goalie for an extra attacker and each time the Dragons had pressure in the offensive end, person which led to an offensive opportunity. The Dragons had three shots attempts in the final 2:10 of the game and had two corners, but were unable to beat Eiselin, who finished with six saves.