FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sophomore Alex Madden tallied her conference leading 11th goal of the season, but it was not enough as the Fairfield University Women's Soccer team fell to first-place Monmouth 4-1 on Lessing Field.
 
The Stags (6-7-2, 1-4-2 MAAC) were up for the challenge facing the top team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) through the first 45 minutes of play, tallying six shots on goal against one of the best defensive units in the conference. Fairfield's lone shot that went into the net was started by senior Maggie Walsh as her shot was blocked by a defender and found the feet of Madden who struck the shot into the top right corner. With the score, Madden tallied her conference-leading 11th goal of the season.
 
Walsh, who was one of eight seniors honored before the match, was credited with her second career assist. That score was only the third conference goal that Monmouth (12-3-1, 7-1 MAAC) has allowed this season.
 
The Hawks would match Fairfield's offensive pressure by scoring the game's first two goals. Lexie Palladino netted the first score while Jesi Rossman was credited with the team's second goal, a score that was answered by Madden's tally 20 seconds later.
 
Despite their six shots on target, the Stags could not really challenge Monmouth's goalkeeper Amanda Knaub as her five saves were mostly on hard lined drive shots right to the junior.
 
Fairfield could not find the same offensive flow in the second half as Monmouth out-shot the Stags 9-1 over the last 45 minutes. The Hawks would also tally their fourth goal of the game in the 58th minute as Madie Gibson converted a chance off a save by Megan DeFeo.
 
The Stags will be back in action on Wednesday night when they host Saint Peter's on Wednesday at 7pm.