WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team was named an NSCAA College Team Academic Award Winner for the sixth-straight year, the organization has announced. A total of 874 soccer teams (285 men, 590 women) posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher, thereby earning the NSCAA Team Academic Award for the 2013-14 academic year. The Hawks posted a 3.04 GPA.

“This is a fantastic achievement,” said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. “We have received this recognition in academics for several years in a row now. Performance in the classroom is something we are very proud of. Maintaining a team GPA above 3.0 is one of our important goals we discuss every preseason. It is wonderful to see the team be winners both on the field and in the classroom.”  

Monmouth overcame injury and adversity to win the Hawks' fifth conference tournament championship in the last nine years under McCourt and advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawks pushed No. 14 Xavier, which would advance to the NCAA Tournament Third Round with a win at No. 5 Indiana, to double overtime before falling, 2-1.

Matt Jeffery (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) earned his second-consecutive MAAC Defensive Player of the Year award in anchoring a Hawks defense that currently leads the nation in both goals-against average (0.48) and save percentage (.883). Jeffery also made a strong contribution offensively, assisting on goals against then-league leading Rider on Oct. 29 and in the NCAA Tournament at Xavier, while also scoring a goal in the MAAC Semifinals against Iona.

All-MAAC Second Teamers Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang (Kumasi, Ghana/KNUST University), Derek Luke (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) and Eric Klenofsky (Lincoln Park, N.J./DePaul Catholic) also made very strong contributions on the Hawks' back line. In addition to his defensive effort, Agyemang scored the equalizer on a penalty kick in the MAAC Championship Final against Fairfield and was named MAAC Championship Most Valuable Player. Agyemang also scored the equalizer in the NCAA Tournament at Xavier.

Luke led the Hawks with six assists on the year, including helpers in wins against UMass Lowell, Albany, Rider, Siena and Iona. He also assisted on Agyemang's goal in the NCAA Tournament at Xavier off a corner kick.

Klenofsky led the nation in both save percentage and goals-against average entering the NCAA Tournament, while currently ranking first in GAA (0.483) and second in save percentage (.880). He posted 12 shutouts on the season.

Dom Sarle (Huntington, N.Y./Bradenton Prep) led the Hawks with six goals and 17 points on the season in earning All-MAAC First Team recognition. He scored game-winning goals against UMass Lowell, Holy Cross, Rutgers and Rider.

Dave Nigro (Marlboro, N.J./Marlboro) rounded out the Hawks' all-conference selections, earning second team accolades. The sophomore finished second on the team with five goals and 13 points. He saved his lone game-winning goal for arguably the most pivotal moment of the season, the golden goal in the 104th minute against Fairfield to punch Monmouth's ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

In addition, five Hawks were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. Luke and Sarle were joined by seniors Bryant Avalos (Brick, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) and Tim Ballard (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) and junior John Egan (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge). To be eligible for the MAAC All-Academic Team, student-athletes must complete two semesters at their institution and hold a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.20 on a 4.0 scale.