HAMDEN, Conn. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked #11 in the last NSCAA/HendrickCars.com National Top-25 Poll, played Quinnipiac to a 1-1 double overtime draw in Northeast Conference play on Sunday afternoon in its 2010 regular season finale.
The Hawks, now 12-1-4 overall and 6-0-4 in the NEC, are the top seed in the upcoming 2010 league tournament after clinching their sixth straight regular season conference championship. They return to action on Friday when they host fourth-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson on The Great Lawn in the conference semifinals.
"Full credit goes to Quinnipiac today, they made it difficult for us," said MU head coach Robert McCourt. "I am proud of the way the guys responded to a very difficult road weekend, getting two points. We are excited to be home this weekend and host the conference tournament again."
Monmouth, which is unbeaten in its last 10 matches, fell behind the Bobcats, 1-0 in the 18th minute when Philip Surprise scored his fifth goal of the season. Dwayne Mars was credited with an assist on the play for QU.
The Hawks were able to tally the equalizer in the 34th minute when Hermann Trophy candidate Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck) sent a cross into the box which junior Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland /Voionmaan Lukio [Rhode Island]) headed in for his fifth goal of the year. Kinne earned his fifth assist of the year, which ties him for the team lead.
A pair of keepers saw time for the Hawks today, as senior Hermann Trophy candidate Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood) made a pair of saves and didn't allow a goal in his 65 minutes of action and Alex Blackburn (Natick, Mass. /Natick) made three saves and allowed the one marker in his 45 minutes.
MU outshot the Bobcats, 24-12 in the match, including 10-2 in the two overtime periods. The Hawks also held an 8-2 advantage on corner kicks, including a 6-0 mark over the final 65 minutes of the match.
