TEANECK, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked 10th in the nation, defeated in-state rival Fairleigh Dickinson, 1-0 in Northeast Conference action on Sunday afternoon at University Stadium. The Hawks move to 9-0-1 on the season, furthering the program's record unbeaten streak, and 1-0-1 in league play, while FDU falls to 3-7-0 and 0-2-0 in the conference.
"I am extremely proud of these young men," said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. "We have just completed five straight road games and remain unbeaten, that in itself is an amazing accomplishment."
The match was a scoreless defensive struggle until the 84th minute, when the Hawks developed their best offensive momentum of the day. Freshman Alex Weidman (Linwood, N.J./Mainland Regional) got fouled bringing the ball up the right side, setting up a free kick. Sophomore RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J. /St. Joseph's) took the free kick and found junior Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck), who headed in the match's lone score, in front of the net.
"Today, like all of our games against FDU, it was going to take a special moment," said McCourt. "When we have special moments in attack they often come from Ryan Kinne. All the legs were very tired and Ryan rose above everyone and scored a great header. We now look forward to playing some games on the grass at the Great Lawn."
The marker was Kinne's team-high fifth of the season, which also ties him for the league lead, and also his league-high tying third game-winner. It also marks the junior's 18th career goal and his eighth career game-winner. Allen's assist marks the ninth of the sophomore's young career.
"Alex did a great job getting fouled and setting up the free kick," said Kinne. "RJ struck a beautiful ball to the near post and I was able to flick it passed the keeper. To get a win like this against a rival is huge for us, now we are looking forward to coming home."
The contest saw only nine total shots with Monmouth leading in that category, 6-3, including 2-1 in shots on goal. The Hawks also led the Knights in corner kicks, holding a 5-2 advantage in the match.
MU keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) needed to only make one save to record the shutout win. The junior recorded his seventh shutout of the season, including his fourth straight, with the win against the Knights. For his career, Meredith is now 22-3-5 with 18 shutouts.
The Hawks return to action on Friday when they host St. Francis (N.Y.) College at 3:00 pm on The Great Lawn. It will be MU's first home match since September 13, when they defeated American 3-0.
