WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? Monmouth University senior defender Angelo Amato's (Livingston, N.J./Montclair Kimberly Academy) first career goal paced the Hawks to a 1-0 Northeast Conference victory over Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday afternoon on The Great Lawn. The win, which was on Senior Day, improves MU's mark to 11-3-2 on the season, including a 5-1-1 record in league play, while the Knights fall to 9-5-2 and 4-2-1 in the conference. 

“This was a match between two good teams that try and play soccer the right way,” said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. “I thought this was as close to a complete game as we've played all season. We possessed the ball well and created a lot of good scoring chances today and I think we got what we deserved with this result.”

After 87 minutes of well-played, scoreless soccer, Amato was fouled inside the box, setting up a penalty kick with 2:50 left in the second half. The senior stepped to the ball and beat FDU keeper Majdi Zaineh to the left side for his first career and game-winning goal.

“This is a dream come true, this is what you want,” said Amato. “It feels good to finally get a goal, especially today.”

The Hawks outshot the Knights 8-3 in the match and held a 7-1 advantage on corner kicks. Monmouth keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) didn't have to make a save to record his eighth shutout of the season as the MU defense locked down the Fairleigh Dickinson attack.

The Hawks now prepare for their final weekend of the regular season when they visit Quinnipiac this coming Friday and Central Connecticut State this coming Sunday.

“We are taking it one game at a time and we know if we do our part, things will work out,” said Amato.