Monmouth Hawks (0-6-1) – 0
Columbia Lions (2-3-2) - 2
 
NEW YORK, NY – Columbia scored in the first minute and the last minute of the first half to defeat the Monmouth University men's soccer team on Friday night, 2-0.
 
The Lions jumped out to an early lead with a low pass to a dangerous spot inside the box. Just before halftime, Columbia tacked on another after a scramble near the goal line off of a corner kick.
 
The Hawks had a chance to cut the deficit in half with a penalty kick in the 75^th minute, but the Columbia goalkeeper made back-to-back saves including the rebound. Monmouth held a 7-4 advantage in shots on goal, including three from junior Pablo Fonseca (San Jose, Costa Rica/Saint Clare). Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Sean Murray (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) made four saves in the loss.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"We got punished on our own mistakes tonight. We fought back hard and made a good case for getting something out of the match, but came up short. We look forward to the next phase of the season." – Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt
 
-The Lions took an early 1-0 lead in the first minute after a short cross into the six from the end line.
-Monmouth had its best chance of the first half on a header from junior George Akampeke, but Columbia's goalkeeper made a diving save.
-On a Columbia through ball inside the box in the 34^th minute, Murray came up with a right handed save to keep it a one-goal game.
-The Lions made it 2-0 right before halftime. After a scramble in the box on a corner kick, it was scored an own goal.
-In the 75^th minute, Monmouth was awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the box. The Columbia goalkeeper saved the initial shot, then saved the rebound to keep it 2-0.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Each team registered six shots in the first half.
-Junior Sebastian Rodriguez added two shots on goal.
-Both teams took three corner kicks.
-Columbia totaled 14 shots to Monmouth's 12.
-19 different Hawks saw the field.
-Fonseca has played all but four minutes of the season thus far.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will travel to Manhattan on Wednesday night for the MAAC opener.