FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 1 (8-3-5, 5-1-2 CAA)
Campbell 0 (4-6-4, 2-4-2 CAA)
 
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Ben Zakowski's goal just before the half proved to be the difference maker as the Monmouth men's soccer team closed out the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Campbell University.
 
The Hawks clinched at least a share of the CAA Regular Season Title with the win. Monmouth shared the CAA Regular Season Title with Hofstra and will be the number two seed for the upcoming playoffs.
 
Campbell fired off the first two shots of the match before Monmouth got busy applying the pressure. The Hawks forced Sammy Slimi to make three saves in the first 31 minutes of the contest. 
 
The Hawks finally broke through with 40 seconds to go until the half. The ball got played into the box on the offensive end and bounced off several Hawks and Camels before being settled at Zakowski's feet. He rocketed a shot off his left foot into the back of the cage for the 1-0 advantage. 
 
The two teams battled on both ends of the field in the second half. Erik Reis had a header that sailed just high over the crossbar while Jake Roberts forced Eryk Dymora to make his only save of the game in the 82nd minute.
 
The Monmouth defense locked down in the stretch and helped secure the 1-0 victory. 
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"We are so proud of these young men. Campbell is a very strong program with great coaches. The heat was difficult today. But our boys showed their character and deserved the result. We are all excited to host CAA Tournament games on Hesse Field."
 – Monmouth Men's Soccer Head Coach Robert McCourt
 
- Monmouth moved to 2-0 against Campbell all-time. It was the first meeting between the two schools since 1983.  
- After being picked to finish 10th in the preseason poll, the Hawks won all three of their final CAA contests to clinch at least a share of the regular season title.  
- It is Monmouth's 12th regular season championship and first since 2015.
- Ben Zakowski's goal was his team-leading 11th of the season. His 11 goals are tied for eighth in single-season history at Monmouth. 
- Eryk Dymora made one save to record his sixth shutout of the season and 12th of his career.
- The Hawks honored seniors Griffin Tomas, Zakowski, Adrian Nesheim Roseth, Gabriel Miranda, Ulisses Silguero, Markian Tabatchouk, Santi Martinez-Sanchez and Bastian Hatcher before the game. 
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth finished the match with a 12-8 advantage in shots for the contests. The Hawks registered seven shots on goal to Campbell's one. 
- The Hawks took the game's only two corner kicks in the first half. 
- Eryk Dymora made one save for the Hawks while Sammy Slimi had six saves for Campbell. 
- Griffin Tomas led the Hawks with three shots in the contest.

UP NEXT
-Monmouth is back in action on Sunday, Nov. 5 in the CAA Semifinals. The Hawks will be the number two seed and face the winner for the No. 3 Stony Brook and No. 6 Elon match.