WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University men's soccer team fell behind Robert Morris 2-0 early in the second half, but scored a pair of goals within a five-minute span late in the second half and held on in two overtimes to earn a draw with the Colonials on Sunday afternoon on The Great Lawn. The Hawks move to 7-2-2 and 1-0-1 in the Northeast Conference, while RMU is now 2-8-2 and 0-1-1 in the league.
“Our guys were a little na?ve today after our emotional game on Friday,” said head coach Robert McCourt. “They made the mistake of thinking that Robert Morris would lay down. Robert Morris was very aggressive and physical and played with a point to prove today. It was us that seemed in desperation to score late in the game.”
The Colonials scored the game's first tally when Tyler Stanley crossed the ball to Kyle McIvor for a goal in the 36th minute, and they increased their advantage when Stanley assisted on Sean Riley's header in the 53rd minute to make the score 2-0 in favor of RMU.
Monmouth then mounted their comeback, which began when Andreas Klang (Gothemberg, Sweden/Brevard C.C.) played the ball forward to freshman RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph's) who beat the keeper to the far post for his first collegiate goal in the 72nd minute to cut the deficit in half.
Then, less than five minutes later, Allen found Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck) with his free kick and the sophomore, who hit the game-winner in MU's 2-1 double overtime win over Saint Francis (Pa.) on Friday, headed the ball in for the equalizer. The two teams then played a pair of scoreless overtime periods for the draw, which was a tough, physical affair that lacked proper rhythm and flair due to the physical nature of the contest. There was an excess of stoppages of play as the two teams combined for 37 fouls, with RMU committing 24, and five cards
Monmouth outshot Robert Morris 13-11 in the game, including 3-1 in the overtime periods, and held a 6-4 advantage on corner kicks over the Colonials. Monmouth keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) made three saves in the draw, while RMU goalie Matt Felice made five saves.
The Hawks return to action on Saturday when they visit Mount St. Mary's for a 1:00 p.m. match.
