WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The top-seeded Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked eighth in the latest NSCAA/adidas National Rankings, defeated third-seeded Quinnipiac, 2-1 on Sunday on The Great Lawn to claim the program's third Northeast Conference Tournament Title and advance to the NCAA College Cup. The Hawks improve to 18-1-1 on the season, furthering the program's single-season wins record, while the Bobcats fall to 9-4-7.
"I am so proud of these young men," said NEC Coach of the Year Robert McCourt. "These guys have remained focused all season and got the just reward today. Their commitment on and off the field has been wonderful. QU is a very talented team and it was a great game for the fans to watch; two teams trying to play the game the right way, it can only be good for college soccer."
The 2009 NCAA Men's College Cup selection show, where the Hawks will find out their postseason destination, will be on Monday between 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm on ESPNews.
"We look forward to the selection show tomorrow," added McCourt. "It is an exciting time for us."
The Hawks received goals from their two Hermann Trophy Award Watch list members in juniors Chase Barbieri (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) and Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck) to propel them to the title. The duo scored less than three minutes apart to give MU a 2-0 lead early in the second half. Quinnipiac cut the lead in half at the 60:37 mark by virtue of a tally from senior defender Shane Recklet, but the Bobcats couldn't find the equalizer as the Hawks went on to win their third-ever tournament crown.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, MU withstood an early QU scoring chance to launch an attack of its own. Freshman All-NEC First Teamer Ryan Clark (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) lofted a cross from the left side that was all Barbieri's as he nodded his sixth tally of the season into the upper 90 in the 51st minute. With momentum on their side, the Hawks struck again in the 54th minute after they were awarded a free kick opportunity. In much the same fashion as the first score, NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph's) lifted a cross into the box where Kinne was waiting to send a header into the same spot Barbieri's landed. Kinne's marker was the team-leading 10th of the season for the 2009 NEC Player of the Year, while Allen's assist was his eighth to tie for first in the league.
QU keeper Frederick Hall finished with four saves in the contest as Monmouth's Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) made four stops of his own to record the victory.
The Blue and White continues its landmark season as MU prepares to compete in the 2009 NCAA Men's Soccer College Cup with first round action on November 19. The Hawks will find out their opponent on Monday, Nov. 16 between 5:30 and 6:00 on ESPNews.
2009 NEC All-Tournament Team
RJ Allen (Tournament MVP), MU
Cody Calafiore, MU
Daniel Bostock, MU
Ryan Kinne, MU
Frederick Hall, QU
Shane Recklet, QU
Pierre Soubrier, QU
Semso Nikocevic, SFNY
John Sallhag, SFNY
Paul King, FDU
Majdi Zaineh, FDU
