Saint Peter's (2-10-2, 1-7-0 MAAC) – 1
Monmouth (5-8-2, 2-4-1 MAAC) – 3
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – The Monmouth University men's soccer team earned a pivotal three points on Saturday night, handling MAAC opponent Saint Peter's, 3-1. With three games to play, including two at home, the Hawks earned their fifth conference point. After Saint Peter's scored in the 5
th minute, sophomore forward
Donovan Pollock answered with his second goal of the season after taking the pass from redshirt senior
Colin Stripling to make it 1-1. Just before halftime, freshman
Anes Mrkulic have the Hawks a 2-1 lead after gathering the rebound in front and placing it inside the left post. Senior
Jake Areman put the game away in the 68
th minute, as he scored his third goal of the season inside the left post after a teammate's shot was blocked. The Hawks improve to 5-8-2 (2-4-1 MAAC) on the season, and will look for three more points at Fairfield on Wednesday.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We created a bunch of chances tonight and scored three goals. It's the most we've created all season, so we got a just reward I think. No matter what happens, you just have to stay calm. When it gets into crunch time in these conference games, you just have to stay calm and good things are going to happen. We had three great finishes tonight, and
John Antunes was unbelievable tonight creating in between the lines. All the credit goes to the guys tonight. We've been on the road a lot this year, so it's always nice to have a home game in front of a great crowd." – Head Coach
Robert McCourt
-The Peacocks took the early lead as Dominic Laws blasted a shot from the 18 to the far post.
-Monmouth quickly answered less than eight minutes later, when Stripling found Pollock across the box where the sophomore finished it.
-After the ball pinged around the box in the 42
nd minute, Mrkulic eventually grabbed the rebound and put it home to give the Hawks the lead.
-Sophomore back
Andy Martinez had his shot blocked in the 68
th minute, but the rebound found the foot of Areman, who put it in the back of the net for the 3-1 win.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Areman leads the team with nine points this season on three goals and three assists.
-Monmouth had the 20-19 advantage on total shots, and each team registered five shots on goal.
-The Hawks are 4-1-1 at home this season.
-Mrkulic and Pollock each scored their second goals of the season.
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Fairfield on Wednesday for a 7:00 PM matchup. The Hawks own an undefeated 5-0-4 all-time record against the Stags.
