WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked #14 in this week's NSCAA/adidas National Rankings, defeated Central Connecticut State 3-0 in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon on The Great Lawn. The Hawks rebounded from their first loss of the season last time out to improve to 14-1-1 on the season and 6-1-1 in league play, while the Blue Devils fall to 6-8-1 overall and 1-6-1 in the league. With its 14 triumphs this season, MU ties a program record for wins in a year, equaling the 14 that the 2006 squad compiled. The Hawks also record their 12th shutout of the season, leaving them one shy of the single-season program record of 13 set in 2006.
"It was nice to see the guys bounce back today, even though we were missing a couple of starters," said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. "The guys that stepped in today did a great job and I thought the group showed depth today minus three key guys."
The Hawks were without the services of three starters for the match, including Hermann Award Watch List member Chase Barbieri (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough), fellow forward Ryan Clark (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) and keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood).
The Blue and White scored all of three of its goals within a 15-minute stretch in the first half. The Hawks kicked off the scoring when freshman Cody Calafiore (Howell, N.J./Howell) beat Central keeper Paul Armstrong 1v1 for his first collegiate goal in the 12th minute. Monmouth kept the pressure on and found another tally two minutes later when RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J. /St. Joseph's) played the ball from the right side to junior Hermann Award Watch List member Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck) who scored one touch into the left of the net. The tally was Kinne's team-leading eighth of the season.
Allen logged another assist on MU's final marker with Cesar Blacido (Ramsey, N.J./Ramsey) supplying the goal, his second of the season. Allen, a defender, now has a team-high six assists, good enough for second in the conference.
Freshman Alex Blackburn (Natick, Mass./Natick) got the start in goal for Meredith and responded with his first career shutout. He made five saves in the match, including a pair of sparkling, diving efforts, to keep the Blue Devils off the scoreboard.
Each club took eight shots, with scoring three goals on its six shots on goal. CCSU held a 10-1 advantage on corner kicks in the match, and Armstrong made three saves in net for the visitors.
The Hawks return to action on Sunday when they host first-place Quinnipiac at 1:00 pm on The Great Lawn.
