Box Score HAMDEN, Conn. – Senior back Matt Jeffery (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) scored in the 47th minute and freshman Andrew Gee found the back of the net in the 65th minute as the Monmouth University men's soccer team defeated Iona, 2-1, in the MAAC Championship Semifinals Friday morning at the Quinnipiac Soccer Field. With the win, the Hawks (10-3-6) advance to the MAAC Championship Final on Sunday at noon against the winning of Friday's other semifinal between top-seeded Quinnipiac and No. 6 Fairfield. The second-seeded Gaels end their season at 9-7-3.
Following a scoreless first half, the Hawks wasted little time getting on the board in the second half. Derek Luke (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) lined up a corner kick in the 47th minute that Jeffery got under 10 yards out from the near, left post. The senior headed the ball downward across the goal mouth and inside the right post to stake Monmouth to a 1-0 lead.
The Hawks very nearly made it 2-0 just minutes later, as Luke, Gee and Sarle had three-consecutive shots from close range inside the box blocked.
In the 65th minute, Bryant Avalos (Brick, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) played the ball to the goal line before sending a left-footed cross in front to Gee. The freshman flicked the ball with his left foot past Iona goalkeeper Julian Petrello inside the right post to stake Monmouth to a 2-0 lead. The goal was the second in as many MAAC Championship contests for Gee, who also scored on a similar play in the quarterfinals against Siena.
The insurance goal would be needed as the Gaels scored in the 78th minute. Ignacio Maganto played Teddy Forson into the box before Forson went high to beat Monmouth goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky over his left shoulder.
In the 85th minute, the Gaels nearly scored the equalizer. Maganto put a shot on goal that Klenofsky stopped, but couldn't control. Forson streaked in with a clear look at the net, but sent his shot over the crossbar. The opportunity was the best and last for the Gaels as the Hawks closed out the victory.
Klenofsky made six saves in the victory, while Petrello also made six saves in defeat. For the game, Iona outshot the Hawks, 24-16, but Monmouth took an 8-7 edge in shots on goal. Monmouth also took a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks.
