MONMOUTH MEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW

Saturday, October 24, 2015
Monmouth (10-3-3, 6-0-2 MAAC) vs. Niagara (1-12-3, 0-6-1 MAAC)
Location: Hesse Field on The Great Lawn – West Long Branch, NJ
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Live Video: None
Live Stats: MonmouthHawks.com

The Monmouth University men's soccer team plays its final home game of the regular season Saturday night, when it plays host to Niagara. With a win on Senior Night, the Hawks would clinch their second MAAC Regular Season Championship in three years in the league. The Hawks are currently riding a 13-game unbeaten streak, most recently defeating Manhattan, 2-1, in double overtime Wednesday night in Riverdale. Conversely, the Purple Eagles have lost four straight and their only win of the season came Sept. 18 against St. Bonaventure. Last time out, Niagara fell at rival Canisius, 2-0.     
 
BREAKING DOWN THE NIAGARA PURPLE EAGLES
The Purple Eagles are led by freshman forward Alex Dimitriu, who's scored a team-high five goals to go along with an assist. Bautista Pedezert has contributed two goals and two assists, while Brandon Galanti has also scored twice. Sergio Lujan and Tim Magnusson have accounted for a goal and an assist apiece, while Fabrizio Chiari has distributed a team-best three assists. Koby Sapon-Amoah has scored once, while Ryan Myers and Brennan Koslow have two assists each. Andrew Ferguson and Steve Pondeca round out the Purple Eagles' point scorers with one assist apiece. Though Colin Hanley and Joel Gerberich have essentially split minutes in net, since Sept. 26 the job has been Hanley's. The freshman has posted a 1.73 goals-against average and a .681 save percentage. Gerberich compiled a 2.17 GAA and a .625 save percentage before being replaced.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. NIAGARA
Monmouth owns a 3-0-1 edge in the all-time series with Niagara. The Hawks won both ends of a home-and-home series in 1996 and 1997, before also winning in the first game as league foes in 2013. Most recently, the two teams played to a scoreless draw last season in Western New York in a game that featured a lightning delay, heavy rain and blustery wind conditions.          

AROUND THE MAAC
Around the MAAC, perhaps the most intriguing game has Rider (13 points) traveling to Fairfield (11 points) at 7 p.m. The rest of the games will be 2 p.m. kickoffs, with Iona (15 point) traveling to Quinnipiac (6 points), Canisius (6 points) visiting Saint Peter's (12 points) and Marist (13 points) making the trip to Manhattan (6 points).   

SOLID COMPANY
Monmouth's 13-game unbeaten streak stands as the second-longest active streak in the nation. No. 1 Creighton has the longest active streak at 14 games, while the Hawks and No. 7 Denver are next with 13 straight. (Rankings from NSCAA)

Longest Active Unbeaten Streaks in NCAA Division I

	TEAM	STREAK
1	#1 Creighton	14
2.	#25 Monmouth	13
	#7 Denver	13
4.	#3 Stanford	12
5.	#4 Clemson	10
6.	#2 Wake Forest	9
	#12 SMU	9

WHERE THE STREAK RANKS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Monmouth's 13-game unbeaten streak ties for the second-longest streak in program history. The longest streak came over the 2008 and 2009 seasons and stretched to 20 games. After going unbeaten in their final six games of the 2008 season (tied in NEC Tournament, did not advance in PK's), the Hawks went 13-0-1 to begin 2009. Monmouth also enjoyed a 13-game unbeaten streak in 2006 and 12-game stretches in 2005 and 2010, all under Head Coach Robert McCourt's tutelage. Prior to McCourt's arrival to West Long Branch in 2004, the program's longest streak was six in 1988. In McCourt's 12 seasons at Monmouth, the Hawks have nine unbeaten streaks of seven games or more.

RUBBING ELBOWS WITH THE NATION'S BEST
A fixture in the national polls over the last several years, the Hawks opened the season at No. 21 in the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Poll and receiving votes in the College Soccer News Preseason Top 30 Poll. Following a 13-game unbeaten streak, the Hawks have earned the No. 25 position in the NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's National Rankings and the No. 29 ranking in the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll this week. Monmouth reached a program-high of the No. 4 ranking in 2010.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS
As a team, Monmouth leads the MAAC in total goals (28) shutouts (7), shutout percentage (0.44), goals-against average (0.71) and win-lost-tied percentage (.719). Individually, Eric Klenofsky paces the MAAC's goalkeepers with a 0.71 goals-against average, seven shutouts and 0.44 shutouts per game. Miguel Alves, Dave Nigro, Andrew Gee and John Egan are tied for third in the league with two game-winning goals apiece, while John Egan and Colin Stripling have dished out five assists each, good for fifth in the MAAC. Nationally, the Hawks rank ninth in total assists, 16th in total points, 17th in goals-against average, 19th in save percentage and total goals, 22nd in assists per game and 23rd in win-lost-tied percentage.   

KLENOFSKY CLIMBING MAAC ALL-TIME WINS LEADERBOARD
With the Hawks' 2-1 win in double overtime at Manhattan on Oct. 21, junior goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky moved into sole possession of second place all-time in the MAAC with 28 career victories in net. Klenofsky moved past Niagara's John Fiutowski (2006-09) and only Iona's Nils Binstock (2006-09) remains ahead of the Hawks' junior goalkeeper with 38 career wins.   

EVERYBODY SCORES
Monmouth's 28 goals this season have been scored by 12 different players. The Hawks lead the nation with nine players with at least two goals scored. Colin Stripling, John Egan and Dave Nigro lead the way with four goals each, while Andrew Gee has tallied three goals. Anderson Asiedu, David Acuña Camacho, Jalil Blalock, Miguel Alves and Danny Figarella have each scored twice.  Zachary Pereira, Derek Luke and Dan Pizzimenti have each tallied one goal.  

GRITTY COMEBACK
Down a goal after 77 minutes, the Hawks came back to defeat Manhattan, 2-1, on the road in double overtime on Oct. 21. David Acuna Camacho's free kick found John Egan for a header for the equalizer in the 78th minute, but a strong individual effort from Anderson Asiedu resulted in a cross to Andrew Gee that the latter finished for the golden goal in the 108th minute. 

EVERYTHING BUT THE FINISH
Monmouth dominated possession and most statistical categories, but settled for a point in a scoreless draw at Fairfield on Oct. 17. The Hawks outshot the Stags, 12-8, including an 8-1 margin in shots on goal, but Fairfield goalkeeper Matt Turner made eight saves to keep Monmouth off the scoreboard.

SET PIECES STUN SAINT PETER'S
David Acuña Camacho put Monmouth on the board with a goal off a free kick in the ninth minute and added an assist on John Egan's goal off another set piece in the 26th minute as the Hawks defeated hOURglass rival Saint Peter's, 3-1, Oct. 14 on Hesse Field. Anderson Asiedu rounded out the scoring with a goal in the 48th minute.

SCORE EARLY, SCORE OFTEN
Monmouth took an early lead on Dave Nigro's goal in the 11th minute, while also adding goals from David Acuña Camacho and Derek Luke in the 54th and 65th minutes, respectively, en route to a 3-1 victory over longtime conference rival Quinnipiac on Oct. 10.

hOURglass RUNS OUT AFTER 110 MINUTES
Monmouth and Rider played to a 1-1 tie on Oct. 7 in Lawrenceville. Danny Figarella broke a scoreless tie in the 53rd minute and the Broncs responded with the equalizer from Jose Aguinaga just over nine minutes later. The tie extended Monmouth's unbeaten streak to nine games.

KLENOFSKY HONORED FOR SHUTOUT PERFORMANCES
Eric Klenofsky was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Men's Team of the Week and earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week after shutting out Iona (Sept. 30) and Siena (Oct. 3). The junior goalkeeper equaled his career high of seven saves in shutting out the Gaels, while also making a pair of saves against Siena for his sixth clean sheet of the year and 27th career shutout.

STAYING HOT AGAINST SIENA
Dave Nigro scored in the 27th minute and Danny Figarella added his first career goal in the 78th minute as the Hawks defeated Siena, 2-0, on a rain-soaked Hesse Field on Oct. 3. Eric Klenofsky made a pair of saves in the victory, while Derek Luke assisted on both goals. Anderson Asiedu also picked up an assist on Figarella's goal.

GEE, THAT'S A SOLID WAY TO WIN
Andrew Gee scored off assists from John Egan and Colin Stripling in the 35th minute and Eric Klenofsky tied his career high with seven saves as the Hawks blanked Iona, 1-0, on Sept. 30. Stripling played Egan into the top, right corner of the box, before Egan sent the ball low to the left post, where Gee deflected it into the net. Klenofsky (seven saves) and the Hawks' defense made the goal stand up for their fifth clean sheet of the year and the 26th of Klenofsky's career.

STRIP'S STAKE TO NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND LEAGUE HONORS
Colin Stripling was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week, while also earning Corvias ECAC Division I Offensive Player of the Week and MAAC Player of the Week recognition on the week of Sept. 28 after scoring three goals and adding an assist in the Hawks' 2-0 week with wins over Seton Hall and Canisius. Stripling scored twice and added an assist in a 4-1 win over the Pirates, before giving the Hawks an insurance goal in a 2-0 win to begin league play against the Griffs in Buffalo.     

COMMENCING CONFERENCE CORRECTLY
Monmouth opened league play with a 2-0 win on the road at Canisius. Dave Nigro scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 32nd minute off a Zachary Pereira assist, before Colin Stripling added insurance just 3:33 later, scoring off the rebound of Danny Figarella's shot. Eric Klenofsky made three saves to secure his 25th career shutout and his fourth clean sheet of the season. Monmouth is now 2-0-1 in league openers as a member of the MAAC.

STORMING INTO CONFERENCE PLAY
The Hawks put a rough three-game stretch to begin the season well into the rearview mirror with a 4-0-1 finish to non-conference play. The Hawks got in the win column with a 5-0 win over Howard before playing perhaps their most complete 90 minutes of the season in a 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Villanova. Following a scoreless draw against Rutgers, Monmouth earned a 1-0 win at Holy Cross and a 4-1 triumph over Seton Hall.

HALL OF A WIN
The Hawks' offense scored three goals or more for the third time in non-conference play in a 4-1 win over intrastate foe Seton Hall on Sept. 22. Colin Stripling scored twice and added an assist, while Miguel Alves and Dan Pizzimenti contributed highlight-reel quality goals. John Egan, Zachary Pereira, Anderson Asiedu, Derek Luke and David Acuna Camacho also dished out assists in the win, while Eric Klenofsky made six saves in net to secure the victory.

ONE-UPPING THE CRUSADERS
Monmouth defeated Holy Cross on the road, 1-0, on Sept. 19. John Egan finished off an Anderson Asiedu cross on one touch in front of the net in the 51st minute for what proved to be the game-winning goal. Eric Klenofsky made six saves in his third shutout in four games to earn MAAC Defensive Player of the Week.

RUNNING WITH RUTGERS
A year after defeating Rutgers, 3-0, on the road, Monmouth and the Scarlet Knights played to a 0-0 tie on Sept. 16 at Hesse Field. Eric Klenofsky made four saves in his second shutout of the season.

WILD(CAT) WIN
The Hawks defeated Villanova, 3-1, on Sept. 12. Anderson Asiedu scored his first-career goal off a Colin Stripling assist, before Miguel Alves scored the game-winning goal off a free kick to break a 1-1 tie in the 47th minute. John Egan's thru ball led to Andrew Gee's first goal of the year to put the game on ice in the 79th minute. Eric Klenofsky made a career-high seven saves en route to MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Villanova entered the game ranked No. 25 in the Top Drawer Soccer National Rankings and receiving votes in the NSCAA National Poll.

OFFENSIVE ERUPTION
Monmouth's offense erupted for five goals in a 5-0 shutout of Howard on Sept. 6. Jalil Blalock scored twice en route to MAAC and ECAC Rookie of the Week honors, while Dave Nigro and John Egan both contributed with a goal and two assists. Zachary Pereira also scored his first-career goal, while Spencer Moeller, Derek Luke and Miguel Alves also tallied assists.

THE GOLD STANDARD
Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt's teams have won eight conference regular season titles in his 11 years directing the program and his peers have once again chosen his team to win the league in 2015. Included in the feat are five conference tournament championships in the last nine years and the accompanying NCAA Tournament berths.

PRESEASON HONORS
Eric Klenofsky was named the MAAC Preseason Player of the Year after leading the nation in goals-against average in each of the last two seasons. Derek Luke and Dave Nigro joined Klenofsky on the Preseason All-MAAC Team.

PLENTY BACK FOR THE HAWKS
What Monmouth lost in quality from the 2014 squad in All-MAAC performers Matt Jeffery, Dom Sarle and Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang, the Hawks make up for with eight starters returning. Klenofsky, David Acuna Camacho and Derek Luke lead a defense that led the nation in goals-against average (0.48) and save percentage (.883). Meanwhile Dave Nigro leads the offense having scored the game-winning goal in double overtime of the MAAC Championship to cap off a five-goal, three-assist campaign. Brandon McCarthy also returns after scoring three goals and adding an assist, while Luke came up from the back line to tally a team-best six assists. Andrew Gee came on late in the season to score twice and add an assist, while Miguel Alves scored a goal and handed out three assists. John Egan played a pivotal role in the midfield and added a goal and an assist.  

ACCLAIMED INCOMING CLASS
College Soccer News ranked the Hawks' incoming class No. 22 in the country. Anderson Asiedu leads the group as a 2014 Top Drawer Soccer Fall High School All-America First Team and 2015 Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Best XI honoree, while Danny Figarella was named to the All-America Second Team. Asiedu, Figarella and Daniel Aversano were selected to the Top Drawer Soccer Fall All-East Region Team, while Chase Covello and Zachary Pereira joined Asiedu, Aversano and Figarella on their respective Top Drawer Soccer Fall All-State Teams. Also joining the Hawks this season are sophomore Memphis transfer Spencer Moeller and freshmen Jalil Blalock and Jassiem Wahtuse.