Monmouth Hawks (6-2-1) – 2
Bowling Green Falcons (7-5-1) - 1
 
GREENSBORO, NC – The Monmouth University men's soccer team scored two goals in the second half to defeat Bowling Green in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 2-1.
 
The Hawks win an NCAA Tournament game in regulation for the first time in program history after advancing on penalty kicks in both 2009 and 2011.
 
After trailing 1-0 at halftime, Monmouth tied the game in the 57^th minute. Sophomore Julian Gomez (Fairview, NJ/St. Benedict's) scored for the sixth consecutive game, heading home a corner kick from sophomore Ben Zakowski (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock).
 
The Hawks took the lead in the 82^nd minute, as Zakowski played a short pass to graduate student Jonas Lindner (Bavaria, Germany/Gymnasium Eschenbach), who fired a shot inside the top of the net.
 
Redshirt junior goalkeeper Sean Murray (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood) made six saves in the win, including three vital stops in final 40 seconds.
 
Monmouth's record improves to 6-2-1 on the season, and the team will face #2 Pittsburgh in the second round this Sunday.  
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
 
"Our best teams always start with the best people. We have really good people with this program right now, on and off the field. They have made big sacrifices, especially through this COVID scenario, and continue to do the right things. When we have these comeback wins, it's because we have a hard-working, committed group. I'm really proud of them. These moments don't bother the guys, because they trust the work they have already put in to get here." – Monmouth associate head coach Hugh MacDonald
 
"I saw an opening in the defense before Ben [Zakowski] took the corner kick, and he put it right where I wanted it. I just tried to get good contact on the ball, and I was really happy that it went in." - Sophomore forward Julian Gomez
 
"We got together at halftime and just said we've been down before. We turned things around in the second half and got the game on our terms. When you have the lead in a college soccer game, you know the last couple of minutes will be hectic. The guys in front of me did a great job of defending all game. I'm just happy I was able to do my part in the last minute."  - Redshirt junior goalkeeper Sean Murray

-In the 39^th minute, sophomore Griffin Tomas dribbled inside the 18 and played a low ball to Rodriguez, whose shot inside the six was blocked.
-With just over two minutes to play in the first half, Bowling Green gathered a loose ball in the box, fired a shot towards goal that Murray saved. The Falcons took control of the rebound, played a low ball across the net, and tapped it in for the 1-0 lead.
-Early in the second half, fifth year George Akampeke played a long ball to Tomas, but the goalkeeper came out to grab it just before he got a head on it. Seconds later, Zakowski sent a long cross to Gomez, whose tough-angled shot hit the side netting.
-In the 57^th minute, Zakowski bent a corner kick that found the head of Gomez. The shot deflected off another player and found the back of the net for the equalizer.  
-Sophomore Luke McBeth played a dangerous ball towards McGregor in the 79^th minute, but the goalkeeper lunged to get a hand on the 50-50 ball.
-In the 82^nd minute, Lindner played a pass to Zakowski, who turned up field between two defenders. Zakowski played it back to Lindner, who made a move to his right and sent a rocket to the top of the net.  
-With 40 seconds left, Murray made a diving save, punching a hard shot over the crossbar.
-Murray made another big save on a corner kick with five seconds remaining, sealing the win for the Hawks.
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-The Hawks played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014, and advanced to the second round for the first time since 2011.  
-Gomez scored for the sixth straight game.
-Lindner scored his first goal of the season.
-Zakowski increased his team-leading assist total to six.
-Murray lowered his goals against average to 0.97 this season, the best of his career.
-MU has won five straight games heading into the Pittsburgh matchup. All have come away from home.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will face #2 Pittsburgh (13-3-0) for the second round on Sunday, May 2. Kickoff from Bryan Park in Greensboro, NC is set for 8:00 PM. The teams will meet for the first time.