Game Recap
Monmouth freshman Madie Gibson scored in the sixth minute and the visiting Hawks added two more scores in the game's second half, as Monmouth defeated Canisius 3-0 Saturday afternoon at the Demske Sports Complex. The win, which moved Monmouth's unbeaten streak to nine, helpd the Hawks earn the school's fourth-straight MAAC regular-season championship. Canisius is now 7-8-0 overall and 5-4-0 in conference action.

Despite the loss, Canisius clinched a berth in the 2016 MAAC Women's Soccer Championship with Manhattan's loss to Siena and Niagara falling to Iona on the road. This will mark the first time Canisius has qualified for the conference's post-season since 2014. Final seeding and first round match-ups will be announced at the conclusion of the regular season, which is set for Wednesday Oct. 26.

The Hawks second goal would come in the 65th minute as Monmouth senior Julie Spracklin converted on a penalty kick after Canisius was whistled for bringing down a Monmouth player in the box. Monmouth capped the day's scoring just over a minute later on a give-and-go from Gibson to senior Alexis McTamney. McTamney was able to chip the ball over the head of Canisius freshman goalkeeper Alana Rossi and across the goal line. Rossi would go on to stop four more shots before being replaced for the final 7:39 by freshman Meaghan O'Neil, who saw her first collegiate action. O'Neil would record a save in the 86th minute.

Canisius controlled most of the match in the first half, but that would change in the second stanza. Monmouth fired 18 total shots towards the frame with nine going on goal. Canisius had just three shots in the loss, with two of them coming in the game's opening 45 minutes.

Coach Clark Postgame Comments
“All it took at the start was one mental lapse, and then bang we're down a goal. Then in the second half,  I think we really struggled with our focus. It is another showing of how our season has gone in the fact that when we're good, we're good and we're not, we make those few key mistakes that come back to hurt us in a big way, like they did today. Now we move forward knowing that we have to lay it all out on the line Wednesday against Siena because we have a lot to play for.”

Game Notes
• This was the seventh meeting between the Griffs and the Hawks. Monmouth now holds a 6-1-0 record between the two programs.
• With the win, Monmouth extended their MAAC unbeaten streak to 14 straight games.
• Saturday's shutout loss was the Griff's first at home since Aug. 26 when the Blue and Gold fell to Cleveland State by the score of 2-0.
 
Up Next
Canisius will stay home to end the regular season Wednesday, Oct. 26 as they face Siena at the Demske Sports Complex. Game time is set for 4 p.m., and that game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.