BROOKLYN, N.Y. ? The Monmouth University men's soccer team scored a season-high four goals, including three in the second half, en route to a 4-1 Northeast Conference win over Long Island on Sunday afternoon. The Hawks improve their record to 9-3-2 on the season and 3-1-1 in conference, while LIU falls to 8-7 and 3-3 in the league.
“It was very encouraging for us to bounce back from a tough loss on Friday (to St. Francis [N.Y.]) and win this afternoon,” said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. “I was also encouraged to see Chase (Barbieri) back for most of the match. I feel as though we are a different team with him out there.”
Chase Barbieri (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) led the offensive attack for Monmouth with two goals and an assist on the afternoon. He got the match's scoring started when he collected the ball inside the box and scored from nine yards out in the 35th minute. Freshman RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph's) was credited with an assist on the play, his fifth of the season, which ties him for the team lead. LIU was able to score the equalizer when Adam Kelemet found the back of the net in the 37th minute, and the match went into intermission tied at 1-1.
The Hawks controlled the second half's scoring, which began when senior Rob LaRocca (Holmdel, N.J./Christian Brothers Academy) headed in a free kick from freshman Cesar Blacido (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) in the 53rd minute. The goal was the senior's first of the season and the assist was Blacido's first collegiate point.Ten minutes later, Barbieri found teammate Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck) at the top of the box and he blasted a shot from 20 yards out to boost the MU advantage to 3-1 in the 64th minute.
The game's scoring concluded when Barbieri finished what he started and took a pass down the right side from LaRocca and scored to give the Hawks their final 4-1 lead. Monmouth outshot LIU 14-11 in the match with the Blackbirds holding a 4-3 advantage on corner kicks. The Hawks were very efficient offensively on Sunday afternoon as they scored on four of their seven shots on goal.
“Everyone put in a great effort today,” said Barbieri, who is now tied with Kinne for the team-lead with nine goals on the season. “Friday was a tough loss but we stuck together. We had a point to prove and I think today we showed what we can do when we play together.”
Monmouth keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) was credited with seven saves in the match for his ninth win of the season.
The Hawks split their two matches this weekend with the NEC's Brooklyn schools (St. Francis [N.Y.] and Long Island, who were both tied for first place coming into the weekend. Monmouth returns to action on Friday when they host Sacred Heart at 3:00 p.m. on The Great Lawn.
