WEST HAVEN, Conn. - The third-seeded Monmouth University men's soccer team played
second-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson to a 1-1 tie in the Northeast Conference
Tournament Semifinals, but the Knights advanced on penalty kicks, 4-3, Friday
afternoon at Ken Strong Stadium. With the tie, the Hawks move to 11-4-4, while the
Knights are now 9-5-5 and will face fourth-seeded Saint Francis (Pa.), which
advanced past top-seeded Quinnipiac in a shootout in Friday's first semifinal.
"Anytime you lose in penalty
kicks, it's obviously devastating for the guys," said Monmouth Head Coach
Robert McCourt. "However, when they look back on the season, they'll be nothing
but proud. I'd like to pay tribute to the group of seniors, because they've had
outstanding careers. I know they'll look back on their careers at Monmouth and
be really proud."
FDU took a 1-0 lead in the 39th
minute after the Hawks played a high-arcing ball back to goalkeeper Alex
Blackburn (Natick, Mass./Natick), but the ball took a high bounce over the
outstretched arms of the senior keeper. Simon Doherty ran in behind Blackburn
to knock it in from the doorstep.
In the 51st
minute, the Hawks drew even off a set piece. Agyemang got a head on a free kick
into the box. FDU goalkeeper Jacob Lissek made the initial save, but it caromed
off Agyemang's back and into the net for the equalizer.
In the shootout, Joseph
Schmid (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) made the first attempt, before Jack
McVey matched his effort. Andres Penfold's (Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale) next try
was saved by Lissek, before Nicholas Walker rocketed a shot past Blackburn to
put FDU on top, 2-1. Ryan Clark's (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) attempt
clanged off the right post and Anders Vest-Hansen put FDU on top, 3-1, with a
good try. Matt Jeffery (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) made his attempt to
keep the Hawks alive and Blackburn denied Antony Moore to further the Hawks'
effort. Francois "Paco" Navarro (Paris, France) connected on his attempt,
before Jan Aubert put it away for the Knights.
For the game, FDU took a
15-11 edge in shots and a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks. Blackburn made four
saves, while Lissek countered with two saves.
