WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked fourth in this week's NSCAA/HendrickCars.com National Rankings, concludes the nonconference portion of its 2010 schedule on Saturday when it welcomes Loyola (Md.) to The Great Lawn for a 4:00 pm match.

The Hawks, who have again attained the highest national ranking of any sport in Monmouth's Division I history, take on the Greyhounds for the second straight season, having defeated the Maryland school, 1-0 last September 26.   

One parking note for Saturday, September 25; soccer spectators will be directed to park in the following lots:
16 (off Cedar Ave), 23 (off of Norwood Ave, behind Woods Theater and the Police Headquarters) and North Campus (by the dorms).

Hawk Notes:

• Monmouth is well represented in this week's NCAA Statistics Report, sporting the 25th-ranked offense in the nation, averaging 2.17 goals per match, and its 13 goals scored this season rank 20th. MU's defense is ranked 15th in the country in goals against average, allowing 0.49 goals per match, while ranking 12th in save percentage, stopping 88.5% of the oppositions shots.
• Senior Hermann Trophy candidate Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck), the reigning College Soccer News National Player of the Week, ranks in the top-10 in three of the four major individual statistical categories this week. Kinne ranks fifth in the republic in total points with 13, ninth in both points per game (2.17) and total goals (5) and also 12th in goals per game (0.83).
• The Naugatuck, Conn. also was named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Men's Team of the Week for his efforts.
• Kinne, who now leads the Hawks with five goals on the season, struck for the equalizer after the Pirates took an early lead in the 26th minute when he and freshman Jacob Rubinstein (Ocean Township, N.J. /Ocean) played a well-executed give-and-go that resulted in the senior finding the back of the net with a magnificent strike from 20 yards out. Then, in the 53rd minute, sophomore Ryan Clark (Freehold, N.J. /Freehold Township) found Kinne, who unleashed a rocket from 30 yards that beat SHU keeper Kevin Bonder for the eventual game-winner.
• The senior now has 28 career goals, which ties him for fourth all-time in program history with Kyle LeBaron (1995-98). Against the Highlanders, the senior assisted on junior George Quintano's late goal, marking his third assist of the season and the 18th of his career, which ties him for the fourth-most all-time in program history with Nick Sacco (1984-87) and Joni Kallioinen (1989-91).
• Fellow Hermann candidate, senior keeper Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood), is also among the national statistical leaders at his position. The keeper ranks 17th in the nation in save percentage, stopping 88.5% of the opposition's shots, while also placing 18th in the country in GAA, allowing 0.487 tallies per match.
• Rubinstein has recently been named to the TopDrawerSoccer.com Top-100 Freshmen List.

Below is a preview of Loyola (Md.); Saturday, 4:00 pm on The Great Lawn

• The Greyhounds are currently 1-3-1 on the season and are on a two-game dry spell after dropping their last match to Towson, 3-2. Phil Bannister scored twice and Stephen Dooley recorded his first career assist but the goals were not enough against the Tigers.
• Loyola holds the series advantage in its history against Monmouth, with a 3-2-1 edge. The Greyhounds have not won since the third meeting on October 21, 1987 when Loyola won 1-0. The two teams tied in 1988, 1-1.
• The Greyhounds fell to No. 7 Maryland on September 14, 3-0, at Ridley Athetic Complex. The game marked the first ranked opponent the team has faced this season.
• Loyola captured its first win of the season on September 11 with a 2-1 victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats. Quinnipiac took a 1-0 lead shortly before the half but Loyola roared back to tie just over a minute later, scoring on a Zach Tweddell header from a Charlie Hutton corner kick. The Greyhounds found the eventual game-winner in the 83rd minute as Eddie Dines put back a Danny Ankrah rebound.
• Loyola squad dropped its home opener on September 7 to William & Mary, 3-1. Phil Bannister scored his first of the season on a penalty kick in the 13th minute, but the Tribe rallied with three unanswered goals for the win.
• Mark Mettrick returns for his 11th season as the head coach of the Greyhounds. Mettrick has compiled at 127-57-18 record at Loyola, guiding the team to five College Cup appearances. He has also coached Loyola to seven regular-season MAAC championships and four MAAC Tournament titles.