PISCATAWAY, N.J. –  Despite outshooting its opponent, 13-4, RV/24 Rutgers women's soccer fell short to Monmouth on Friday night at Yurcak Field. The Scarlet Knights (4-1-1) took an early 1-0 lead before the Hawks (5-2-0) countered with back-to-back goals.

"Monmouth was up for the match. They are always going to be well coached," said head coach Mike O'Neill. "I give them a lot of credit. There was a 10-minute period where they capitalized on mistakes by us and that is what good teams do.

"We came out [of halftime] with an idea of wanted to do. We knew we were down by a goal and it was just about trying to execute. Opportunities we had, their keeper made some really good saves. We had seven corner kicks in the second half and we weren't efficient on them. Until the very end we fought so I am proud of my team. I am proud that they fought until the very end, but I think Monmouth capitalized on a couple of mistakes we made and we didn't take advantage of the opportunities that we had." 
 
QUICK STATS
Sophomore forward Amirah Ali registered her fifth goal of the season, scoring in the seventh minute of the contest.
 
Monmouth's Alli Deluca and Lexie Palladino registered the goals for the Hawks, while goalkeeper Amanda Knaub registered six saves.
 
THE MATCH
Ali gave the Scarlet Knights an early 1-0 lead seven minutes into the contest. Ali evaded two defenders to knock a shot from the top middle of the box, scoring inside the left post.
 

👀 Amirah Ali is unstoppable! Gives #RFutbol a 1-0 lead over Monmouth! #NoRetreat pic.twitter.com/stJQQ1XOfV

— RutgersWomensSoccer (@RUWSoccer) September 7, 2018

 
Monmouth countered with a goal in the 22nd minute to balance the score 1-1. After a shot by Jill Conklin was blocked, Conklin took the deflection and crossed to Deluca. Deluca shot from three yards out to the far post, sneaking past an outstretched Meagan McClelland for the score.
 
The Hawks followed with a goal from Palladino to shift the lead to 2-1 in the 29th minute. A pass from Deluca at the middle of the box, set up Palladino for a shot from the top of the 18.
 
Rutgers returned from the break, persistently knocking on the door. A corner kick in the 47^th minute led to a Taylor Aylmer shot that was blocked. Within the next few minutes, the Scarlet Knights followed two back-to-back shots that were saved by MU's keeper. This set the tone for the remainder of the frame. 
 
Although RU led MU in shots (10-1) and corner kicks (7-0) throughout the second half, the Hawks led in saves (5-1) to escape Piscataway with the win.
 
UP NEXT
Rutgers concludes nonconference play with La Salle on Sunday, Sept. 9. The 2017 NCAA First Round rematch is set for 1 p.m. ET at Yurcak Field.
 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Amirah Ali leads the team with five goals on the season and is one goal away from last season's total in just six games of 2018.
• Chantelle Swaby returned to the lineup following a stint the with Jamaican National Team at the CONCACAF Women's Championship.
• Dating back to the start of 2006, RU is 105-19-15 at Yurcak Field.
• Rutgers suffered its first loss at Yurcak Field since Sept. 29, 2017 against Minnesota, when RU fell 2-1 to UM. That loss also marked the last time RU has allowed multiple goals in a contest.

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