MONMOUTH MEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW

Saturday, October 31, 2015
#22 Monmouth (11-3-3, 7-0-2 MAAC) at Marist (7-8-1, 5-3-1 MAAC)
Location: Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field – Poughkeepsie, NY
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m.
Live Video ($, No association with MAAC.TV): Red Fox Network
Live Stats: MonmouthHawks.com

The nationally-ranked No. 22 Monmouth University men's soccer team wraps up regular-season play Saturday night, when it visits Marist. Prior to an idle date on the schedule Wednesday, the Hawks won their second-straight game and stayed unbeaten in their last 14 games with a 5-3 victory over Niagara last Saturday. With the win, the Hawks clinched the MAAC Regular Season Championship and the top seed in the MAAC Championships, to be played Nov. 5-9 at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Meanwhile, the Red Foxes also played Niagara on Wednesday, righting the ship after three-straight losses with a 1-0 victory over the Purple Eagles.       
 
BREAKING DOWN THE MARIST RED FOXES
Freshman Cameron Harr leads Marist with seven goals this season, while fellow first-year player Simon Lund Jorgensen has added four goals. Zachary Reed, Brian Coyt and Connor Preece have scored two goals each, with Reed also dishing out two assists and Coyt adding one helper. Kevin Kappock has contributed a goal and two assists, while Dylan MacVane and Connor Flatley round out the Marist goal scorers with one each. Brendan Gallivan, Axel Ender, Maximilian Euler and Connor Shearer have also registered in the point column with one assist each. Mark Rajovic has played every minute in net for the Red Foxes, compiling a 1.71 goals-against average and a .711 save percentage. He has four shutouts in 16 games started.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. MARIST
Monmouth leads the all-time series with Marist, which began in 1985, 10-5-1. The former and once-again conference foes played yearly from 1985-97 and again in 1999 before a 14-year hiatus. The Hawks and Red Foxes renewed acquaintances when Monmouth joined the MAAC in 2013, since which time the Hawks own a 1-0-1 record. Monmouth took a 1-0 win in Poughkeepsie in 2013, before the two teams played to a scoreless draw last season.          

AROUND THE MAAC
With just one date left on the regular-season calendar, only the top and bottom seeds in the MAAC Championships are secured. The Hawks have clinched the No. 1 seed in the tournament, while Niagara is guaranteed the No. 11 seed. Iona, Rider and Marist could all finish as high as No. 2 or as low as No. 6, while Siena and Fairfield could slot in anywhere from No. 2 to No. 8. Canisius and Saint Peter's are alive for the Nos. 5-9 positions, while Manhattan can take any of the 7, 8, 9 or 10 seeds. Quinnipiac will be either the No. 9 or 10 seed. Away from Poughkeepsie, Saturday's league slate features Quinnipiac at Rider, Siena at Saint Peter's, Fairfield at Niagara and Manhattan at Canisius.    

SOLID COMPANY
Monmouth's 14-game unbeaten streak stands as the longest active streak in the nation after No. 1 Creighton's 15-game unbeaten streak was snapped with a 2-1 loss to Xavier on Wednesday. The Hawks' streak is tied with No. 4 Stanford and No. 8 Denver for the longest in NCAA Division I. (Rankings from NSCAA)

Longest Active Unbeaten Streaks in NCAA Division I

	TEAM	STREAK
1.	#22 Monmouth	14
	#4 Stanford	14
	#8 Denver	14
4.	#2 Wake Forest	11
	#3 Clemson	11
6.	#9 SMU	10

WHERE THE STREAK RANKS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Monmouth's 14-game unbeaten streak is the second-longest streak in program history and ties for the longest in a single season. 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 14-game unbeaten streak, the Hawks have earned the No. 22 position in the NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's National Rankings and the No. 26 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 (33), total points (98), scoring offense (1.94), points per game (5.76), shutouts (7), shutout percentage (0.41), goals-against average (0.84) and win-lost-tied percentage (.735). Individually, Eric Klenofsky is second among MAAC goalkeepers with a 0.84 goals-against average, while leading the league with seven shutouts and 0.41 shutouts per game. Miguel Alves, Dave Nigro, Andrew Gee and John Egan are tied for fifth in the league with two game-winning goals apiece, while Derek Luke's six assists are good for third in the MAAC. Nationally, the Hawks rank 10th in total points, 12th in total assists, 14th in total goals, 15th in win-lost-tied percentage, 18th in points per game and 20th in scoring offense.    

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, who now stands at 29 career wins, 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 33 goals this season have been scored by 12 different players. The Hawks lead the nation with 10 players with at least two goals scored. Colin Stripling leads the way with six goals, while John Egan and Dave Nigro are close behind with five goals each. Andrew Gee has tallied three goals, while Anderson Asiedu, David Acuña Camacho, Jalil Blalock, Miguel Alves, Danny Figarella and Zachary Pereira have two goals apiece.  Derek Luke and Dan Pizzimenti have also tallied one goal.  

FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET
The Hawks' 33 goals already rank ninth in program history and are the fourth-most since Robert McCourt took over as Head Coach in 2004. The program record of 56 goals came in 1988, while the most under McCourt is 38 in 2006. The Hawks also scored 36 goals in both 2009 and 2010.

SCORING AT WILL
Monmouth scored five goals for the second time this season in a 5-3 victory over Niagara on Oct. 24. Seniors connected on Senior Night as Derek Luke fed John Egan for the equalizer in the 14th minute, before Colin Stripling scored the first of his two goals in the 25th minute. Dave Nigro followed in the 29th minute, before Stripling again found the back of the net in the 55th minute. Zachary Pereira capped the scoring with a header off Luke's corner kick in the 65th minute.

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.