Monmouth (1-0-0) – 1
Georgia Southern (0-1-0) - 0
 
MT. PLEASANT, SC – Heading home the free kick in the 69^th minute from Jake Areman, redshirt senior Colin Stripling gave the Monmouth University men's soccer team the season opening win over Georgia Southern on Friday night, 1-0. After the Hawks were fouled in Georgia Southern territory, Areman bended a perfect ball to the far post, where Stripling connected on the diving header to put Monmouth ahead. Junior goalkeeper Bobby Edwards recorded his first shutout of the season, totaling three saves. Monmouth improves to 1-0-0 on the season and will take on host College of Charleston to complete the road trip on Sunday.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"I'm proud of our guys for showing a lot of heart. We put in hard work and effort for the first game of the season, which is always a little bit difficult because you're trying to figure out who you are. The biggest thing was that they showed a lot of guts and determination to get the win on the road. We feel like we have something to build on." – Head Coach Robert McCourt
-Stripling's goal was the 12^th of his career and his third game-winner. He played 61 total minutes after coming off the bench.
-After dishing four assists last season, Areman picks up another in the first game of the 2017 season.
-In the 55^th minute, sophomore John Antunes dribbled down the middle of the field, eluded several Georgia Southern defenders, and ripped a shot that went just wide left. Eight minutes later, Antunes fed Areman across the six yard box, but the shot sailed high.
 
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Monmouth is now 8-5-1 in regular season openers under head coach Robert McCourt.
-Georgia Southern registered 12 shots, while Monmouth had nine.
-A total of 16 Hawks saw action against the Eagles, including the collegiate debuts of George Akampeke, Anes Mrkulic, Santo Arena, and Dan Frisch-Harmon.
-Akampeke, Areman, and John Antunes all totaled two shots on the evening.
-Edwards, Akampeke, and defenders Luke Bromley, Michael Luke, and Joey Gudzak all played the full 90 minutes.
-Each team earned five corner kicks on the night.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will face the College of Charleston on Sunday at 6:30 PM to close the South Carolina road trip.