MONMOUTH MEN'S SOCCER PREVIEW

Sunday, November 8, 2015
MAAC Men's Soccer Championship Semifinals
No. 1 Monmouth (12-3-4) vs. No. 5 Iona (10-6-3)
Location: Disney's Wide World of Sports – Lake Buena Vista, FL
Kickoff: 11 a.m.
Live Video: ESPN3
Live Stats: MAACSports.com

The Monmouth University men's soccer team continues MAAC Championship play in Sunday's semifinals, when it plays fifth-seeded Iona. The Hawks are in the midst of a 16-game unbeaten streak, tied with #7 Denver for the longest in the nation, following a 2-1 win over No. 9 Manhattan in the MAAC Quarterfinals on Friday. Meanwhile, the Gaels defeated No. 4 Fairfield, 1-0, on a PK in the 41st minute to advance to the semifinals.

BREAKING DOWN THE IONA GAELS
Iona (10-6-3) is led by MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year Daniel Huertas, who's scored nine goals and added five assists for a team-high 23 points. MAAC Offensive Player of the Year Marcos Nunez has also added six goals and eight assists for 20 points. Brandon Reardon has scored four goals and added an assist, but has only suited up once since Oct. 3. Oscar Gonzalez has scored both of his goals off PK's, including the game-winner in the quarterfinals against Fairfield on Friday. He's also distributed four assists. Luis Mendoza has also scored twice and dished out three assists, while Killian Colombie and Aristotle Seferlis have two goals and two assists apiece. Daniel Ocana Garcia has a goal and five assists, while Jordan Scarlett also has five assists. Joshua Calderon, Humbert Ferrer and Matias Correa round out the Gaels' goal scorers with one apiece, while Calderon has also distributed two assists.

ALL-TIME SERIES VS. IONA
Monmouth owns a 12-6-0 advantage in the all-time series, which dates back to 1984. Monmouth has won the last two meetings, including a 2-1 win in the 2014 MAAC Championship Semifinals on a neutral field at Quinnipiac. The Hawks also defeated the Gaels, 1-0, on Sept. 30 in West Long Branch on Andrew Gee's finish at the left post off John Egan's low pass across the 18-yard box. The Gaels won the 2014 regular-season tilt in New Rochelle, 1-0, scoring in the 80th minute with the Hawks playing down a man after Egan was sent off in the 18th minute with a red card.

AROUND THE MAAC
Following the Hawks and Gaels on Sunday will be No. 2 Rider and No. 6 Siena at 2 p.m., also on ESPN3. The winners of the two games will square off in the championship game Monday at noon on ESPN3.        

WHERE THE STREAK RANKS IN PROGRAM HISTORY
Monmouth's 16-game unbeaten streak is the second-longest streak in program history and is 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.

SOLID COMPANY
Monmouth's 16-game unbeaten streak stands as the longest active streak in the nation after then-No. 1 Creighton's 15-game unbeaten streak was snapped with a 2-1 loss to Xavier on Oct. 28 and then-No. 4 Stanford also had its 15-game streak snapped on Nov. 2. The Hawks' streak is one game longer than No. 7 Denver's 15-game streak. The Pioneers are back in action Saturday at IPFW. (Rankings from NSCAA)

Longest Active Unbeaten Streaks in NCAA Division I

	TEAM	STREAK
1.	(RV) Monmouth	16
2.	#7 Denver	15
3.	#2 Clemson	12
4.	#1 Wake Forest	11
	#8 SMU	11

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. In the midst of the Hawks' 15-game unbeaten streak, Monmouth reached as high as the No. 22 position in both the NSCAA NCAA Division I Men's National Rankings and the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll. The Hawks are currently ranked No. 22 in the College Soccer News Poll and receiving votes in the NSCAA Rankings. Monmouth reached a program-high of the No. 4 ranking in 2010.

HAWKS BRING HOME INDIVIDUAL HARDWARE
Monmouth accounted for three major awards and nine spots on the All-MAAC Teams. Senior back David Acuña Camacho earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, while junior goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky was named MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year. Head Coach Robert McCourt was selected by his peers as the Lids MAAC Sports Coach of the Year. In addition, a league-high six Hawks were named to the All-MAAC First Team. Joining Acuña Camacho and Klenofsky on the first team were senior Derek Luke, juniors Dave Nigro and Colin Stripling and freshman Anderson Asiedu. Senior John Egan was also selected to the All-MAAC Second Team, while freshman Zachary Pereira joined Asiedu on the MAAC All-Rookie Team.   

...AND THEY'RE SMART, TOO!
Seven Hawks were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. Acuña Camacho, Egan, Klenofsky and Luke were joined on the team by Miguel Alves, Andrew Gee and Brandon McCarthy. In order to qualify, student-athletes must complete at least two semesters at their school and post at least a 3.2 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale.

THE GOLD STANDARD
Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt's teams have won nine conference regular season titles in his 12 years directing the program. His peers correctly chose his team to win the league in the 2015 MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. Included in the Hawks' run of success are five conference tournament championships in the last nine years and the accompanying NCAA Tournament berths.

TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADERS
As a team, Monmouth leads the MAAC in total goals (37), total points (107), shutouts (7), goals-against average (0.90) and win-lost-tied percentage (.737). Individually, Eric Klenofsky is third among MAAC goalkeepers with a 0.90 goals-against average, while leading the league with seven shutouts. Miguel Alves, Dave Nigro, Andrew Gee, David Acuna Camacho and John Egan are tied for sixth in the league with two game-winning goals apiece, while Derek Luke's six assists are good for fourth in the MAAC. Nationally, the Hawks rank 14th in total points, 17th in total goals, 17th in win-lost-tied percentage, 20th in total assists, 21stin scoring offense and 21st in points per game.    

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 30 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 37 goals this season have been scored by 12 different players. The Hawks and Notre Dame are the only teams in the nation with 10 players with at least two goals scored. Colin Stripling leads the way with six goals, while John Egan, Dave Nigro and Miguel Alves are close behind with five goals each. Andrew Gee and David Acuña Camacho have tallied three goals. Anderson Asiedu, Jalil Blalock, Miguel Alves, Danny Figarella and Zachary Pereira have two goals apiece.  Derek Luke and Dan Pizzimenti have also tallied one goal each.  

FINDING THE BACK OF THE NET
The Hawks' 37 goals already rank seventh in program history and are the second-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.  

MACHO CAMACHO
With the game tied at 1-1 in the 87th minute of the MAAC Championship Quarterfinals against Manhattan, David Acuna Camacho went low inside the right post off a free kick just outside the 18-yard box for the game-winning goal. Miguel Alves also added his third goal in three games to give Monmouth an early 1-0 lead in the ninth minute.  

UNBEATEN AGAIN
The Hawks (7-0-3 MAAC) posted an unbeaten record in conference for the first time since 2010 and the fourth time overall under Head Coach Robert McCourt. Monmouth also didn't lose a game in league play in 2005 and 2006 as a member of the Northeast Conference.

KEEPING THE STREAK ALIVE
In spite of resting key midfielders Colin Stripling and Anderson Asiedu for the Oct. 31 regular-season finale at Marist, the Hawks came away with a 2-2 tie in Poughkeepsie to extend their unbeaten streak to 15 games. Miguel Alves scored both goals for the Hawks, while Eric Klenofsky made eight saves in net. Joey Gudzak was credited with his first assist of the season on Alves' first goal.

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, and 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 then-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.

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.