WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The top-seeded Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked #13 in the NSCAA/HendrickCars.com National Top-25 Poll, defeated third-seeded Saint Francis University (Pa.), 1-0 in the 2010 Northeast Conference Tournament Finals on Sunday afternoon on The Great Lawn. The Hawks, who won their sixth straight league regular season title this year, win their second straight conference tournament title, and their third in the last five years. MU (14-1-4), which becomes the first NEC men's soccer side to win back-to-back league tournament titles since 2003-04, is now assured a berth in the 2010 NCAA Tournament, which begins Thursday.
"I am extremely proud of this group of guys, they have shown character, talent and leadership all season and today's result was a just reward for their commitment," said MU head coach Robert McCourt. "We are excited to be back in the NCAA's and look forward to finding out fate tomorrow."
The 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship selections will be announced live on ESPNU, tomorrow, Monday, November 15, between 4:30 and 5:00 p.m.
Monmouth took the lead in the 59th minute when senior Anthony Vazquez (Belford, N.J./Middletown North [St. John's]) sent a free kick toward the right post from beyond midfield. Classmate Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck) headed the ball to the opposite post where freshman Jacob Rubinstein (Ocean, N.J./Ocean Township) took a magnificent one touch for his fourth goal of the year and the 1-0 Hawks' lead.
From there, Monmouth's defense, led by NEC Tournament Most Valuable Player Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood), shut the door on the Red Flash. Meredith, a Hermann Trophy candidate, made four saves in posting his second clean sheet of the conference tournament. The senior now has 11 shutouts this season and 36 in his career.
MU outshot Saint Francis (Pa.) 14-8, including 7-2 in the second half, and held an 8-2 advantage on corner kicks.
In addition to Meredith, Vazquez, Kinne and junior Max Hamilton (Medford, N.J. /Shawnee) were named to the 2010 NEC All-Tournament Team.
