WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked #24 in the nation, defeated American University, 3-0 in a nonconference match on Sunday on The Great Lawn. The Hawks improve to 5-0-0 on the year, marking the first time in school history that MU has began a season with five straight wins to open a campaign. The Eagles dropped their second straight contest, falling to 2-2-0.

"This was a good performance for us today against a very good American team," said Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt. "I thought we played a very solid first half and held on in the second for the win. Our back four did very well today, also."

The Hawks scored three first half goals for the second straight contest, seizing control of the match early. Freshman Ryan Clark (Freehold,N.J./Freehold Township) scored his second goal in as many matches 27 seconds in from the left side of the box, staking the Blue and White to its earliest lead of the season. The freshman continued his good form when he played a cross from the left side, finding junior Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck) who headed the ball to the far post in the seventh minute. The goal was Kinne's second of the season, while Clark contributed his team-high tying third assist of the campaign.

Kinne added his first assist of the season just before intermission when he played the ball through the right side to sophomore George Caiella (Pittstown, N.J./Seton Hall Prep), who settled and scored his first collegiate goal to give the Hawks a 3-0 advantage.

Monmouth outshot AU 10-8 in the game, including 5-4 in shots on goal. The Hawks had four corner kicks, compared to one for American. MU keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood) made four saves for his second straight shutout, and his third of the season.

The Hawks return to action on Friday when they take on Cornell at the Princeton Tournament at 5:00 pm.