FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 3 (1-0-1)
LIU 1 (1-1-0)
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WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. –Â
Ben Zakowski had two goals and one assist in the second half to lead the Monmouth University men's soccer team to a 3-1 comeback victory over LIU on Monday night.Â
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LIU struck first in this one as Alan Martinez scored just 90 seconds into the game. Martinez's goal came off assists from Ethan Homler and Robert Winkler.
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The Hawks applied the pressure throughout the remainder of the first half but were unable to tie the game as the visitors carried a 1-0 lead into the half.Â
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Monmouth found the equalizer in the 63rd minute as Zakowski rocketed his first of the day into the back of the net.Â
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Just shy of four minutes later, Zakowski struck again. The Hawks were awarded a penalty kick and Zakowski converted for the 2-1 advantage.
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Monmouth tacked on one more goal in the 73rd minute as Zakowski found a streaking
Kevin Zapata, who stuck one in the bottom of the net for a 3-1 advantage and eventual victory.
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NOTES AND QUOTES
"Tonight was a big character win against a very well coached LIU team. We took a mental break early and got punished for it. But the boys stuck to our game plan and in the end got a justified win."
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– Monmouth Men's Soccer Head CoachÂ
Robert McCourt
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- Monmouth and LIU were meeting for the first time ever on the soccer pitch. Â
-Â It was
Ben Zakowski's first multi-goal game of the season and third of his career.Â
- The five points by Zakowski in the contest were a career-high.Â
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Kevin Zapata scored his first goal as a Hawk in just his second match after transferring to Monmouth this year.
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NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth held an 18-8 advantage in the shots category. The Hawks registered seven shots on goal to LIU's four.Â
- The Sharks got four saves from Eoin Gawronski while Monmouth's
Eryk Dymora made three saves.Â
- Monmouth recorded all six of the corner kicks in the contest.
- Ten different Hawks recorded at least one shot in the match.
UP NEXT
-The Hawks are back in action on Friday, Sept. 1 when they visit St. John's for a 7 p.m. match.Â
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