WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team moved up one spot to #7 in this week's NSCAA/adidas National Rankings, the organization released on Tuesday. The Hawks, at 12-0-1, are one of only two unbeaten teams in the Top-25 this week, along with #1 Akron (13-0-0). MU and the Zips, along with UC Santa Barbara (10-3-1), are the only clubs in the Top-25 with double-digits wins each so far this season.
Monmouth has steadily risen in the NSCAA/adidas National Rankings since the third week of the season, debuting at #24 on September 11. From there, MU moved up to #19 the following week and then #14 during the end of September before landing at 10th for two weeks. The Blue and White were ranked #8 last week before moving up to seventh this week, which marks the highest national ranking for any program in Monmouth University history.
The Hawks, currently 12-0-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the league, are currently riding a program-best 13 match unbeaten streak. MU has outscored its opposition by a 23-3 margin this year, and has also taken twice as many shots as their opponents (197-98). The Hawks also have more than a 2-1 advantage on corner kicks this season (84-39).
MU is also ranked atop the NSCAA/adidias North Atlantic Regional Rankings, where they have been all season. The Hawks also come in this week ranked 8th by Top Drawer Soccer, 9th by College Soccer News and #10 by Soccer America.
At the heart of the Blue and White's success has been a stingy defense that ranks second in the nation in three statistical categories. MU ranks second in the country in team goals against average (0.23 GAA), shutout percentage (77%) and save percentage (91.9%). MU keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) now ranks second in the nation in GAA, allowing 0.227 tallies per match and fourth in Division I in save percentage, stopping 91.9% of the opponent's shots.
MU's solid defense is nothing new, in fact since 2004, when McCourt took over the program, the Hawks have 56 shutouts. Monmouth is currently on a seven-match shutout streak, tying a program-record set in 2006. MU has also now kept the opposition off the scoreboard for the last 689:15 of game action, going all the way back to its 4-1 win over Cornell back on September 18. MU's one goal allowed over its last 10 matches is a program-best, as well as its three goals allowed thru the season's first 13 matches.
The Hawks have two big Northeast Conference road matches this weekend as they make the league's Western Pennsylvania swing.
"We have some difficult matches this coming weekend," said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. Everyone is still mathematically alive in the NEC in terms of making the postseason tourney. This makes for some real do or die situations. Often soccer logic at this time of year takes a back seat to passion and commitment. We will have to be able to match that commitment and do our best to be better in terms of soccer."
"Our last two meetings with Saint Francis (Pa.) have been overtime games and with RMU we have a tie and a loss. It will be a difficult trip, but the guys are excited about the challenge," added McCourt.
MU takes on Robert Morris on Friday at 3:00 pm and Saint Francis (Pa.) on Sunday 1:00 pm. Below is a preview of each Monmouth's two league opponents this weekend:
at Robert Morris (2-11-2, 2-2-2 NEC) on Friday, October 23 at 3:00 pm
The Colonials started the season with nine straight losses and did not win a match until their 12th game of the season against Sacred Heart. Of their six league matches, three have gone to overtime, and they have defeated the Pioneers and Long Island. RMU is coming off a 1-0 loss at St. Francis College (N.Y.) this past Sunday. Robert Morris is led in scoring by Sean Riley, who has four goals. Neil Shaffer is second on the team with five points and a team-high three assists. They have used two goalkeepers this season, as Toba Bolaji and Nick Barber have split time this year. Bolaji leads the team with a 2-4-2 record and a 1.04 GAA. RMU holds the all-time series lead with Monmouth 14-12-3, and last season the Colonials and Hawks tied at 2-2 in overtime.
at Saint Francis (Pa.) (5-9-1, 1-4-1 NEC) on Sunday, October 25 at 1:00 pm
The Red Flash had lost four straight matches before defeating Long Island 2-1 in their last action. Before that win against the Blackbirds, SFU had allowed two or more goals in each match during its four-game losing streak. David Butler leads the team with eight points on three goals and two assists, as teammate Daniel Moir is tied for the squad's lead with three markers. Darius Motazed is the team's primary keeper, sporting a 1.89 GAA this season and a 4-8-1 overall record. MU holds the all-timer series advantage over the Red Flash, 15-2-5, and last year the Hawks won 2-1 in double overtime.
