St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers (0-2-1) – 0
Monmouth Hawks (1-0-1) - 3
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Led by four points from junior
Julian Gomez (Fairview, NJ/St. Benedict's) and a shutout from redshirt senior
Sean Murray (Fanwood, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fanwood), the Monmouth University men's soccer team never trailed in a 3-0 win over St. Francis Brooklyn.
Gomez opened the scoring in the 33
rd minute, taking a feed from senior
Liam McGregor (Middletown, NJ/Middletown North) and junior
Luke McBeth (Glasgow, Scotland/Saint Ninians/Lindenwood).
Less than four minutes later, McGregor found the back of the net on assists from Gomez and sophomore
Bastian Hatcher (Oslo, Norway/The Norwegian College of Top Sports).
In the 75
th minute, Gomez played a low cross to junior
Ben Zakowski (Glen Rock, NJ/Glen Rock), who placed it inside the right post for the 3-0 advantage.
St. Francis Brooklyn, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season and lost to national finalist Indiana in penalty kicks, totaled four shots on goal. Murray registered the eighth shutout of his career, stopping all four attempts.
Monmouth improves to 1-0-1 on the season, and will travel to Delaware on Tuesday night.
NOTES AND QUOTES
"Tonight was a team win against a great St. Francis Brooklyn side. Coach Giovatto does an amazing job. Full credit to our guys. We put in a full 90 minutes and got a deserved result."
– Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt
-In the 33
rd minute, sophomore
Calum Ferguson sent a free kick towards the St. Francis Brooklyn box. McBeth headed it forward, McGregor left it off for Gomez, and the Hawks took the early advantage.
-Just under four minutes later, Gomez passed back to Hatcher, who ripped a shot towards the crossbar. McGregor volleyed the rebound off an opponent and into the back of the net.
-After 40+ minutes of scoreless soccer, Gomez dribbled up the left side and played a low cross to Zakowski who one-timed it into the right side.
NUMBERS CRUNCH
-Gomez has scored a goal in eight straight games played dating back to the spring. He has 21 points in 23 career games.
-McGregor notched the seventh goal of his career. He is tied for the team lead with five points through two games.
-McBeth is the team-co-leader with five points.
-Zakowski scored his ninth career goal. He has 25 points in 29 games.
-Murray has 201 saves in his career.
-Hatcher registered his first career assist. He has started all 12 games on the back line in his Monmouth tenure.
-Monmouth had a 9-7 advantage in shots, including 7-4 on goal.
-Each team committed 24 fouls.
UP NEXT
Monmouth will travel to Delaware on Tuesday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM. The Hawks own a 6-1-1 all-time series lead, including a 3-0 victory during the last meeting in 2009.
