FINAL SCORE
Monmouth 1 (1-1-2, 0-0-1 CAA)
Elon 1 (1-2-1, 0-1-1 CAA)
 
ELON, N.C. – Ben Zakowski scored in the 89th minute as the Monmouth University men's soccer team battled for a 1-1 tie at Elon University in the Hawks' Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) opener.
 
The first half of the contest was dominated by the efforts of Eryk Dymora and the Monmouth defense. Dymora made two key saves in the first 29 minutes while the defense in front of him limited Elon to just three shots total in the first half. 
 
The Hawks had their chances in the first half but were unable to get one by Tomas Wroblewski and the two teams went into the half tied at 0-0.
 
Monmouth continued to apply the pressure to start the second half, but it was Elon that broke through first. The Phoenix were awarded a corner kick and Myson Darden was able to knock the ball home for a 1-0 advantage with 60:52 on the clock. 
 
The Hawks continued to battle and with just 1:47 to go in the game, Monmouth got the equalizer. Elon was attempting to get the ball out of its defensive end and Wroblewski came out of the net to play the ball. The pass was misplayed and ended up at the feet of Chris Morandi. He found an open Zakwoski in front of the net and he powered it home to tie the match at 1-1. 
 
The Hawks got off one more shot, but Wroblewski made the save and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.
 
NOTES AND QUOTES
"The team showed a lot of character today. We created a bunch of chances against a very good Elon team. Then we let up a goal against the run of play. However, the guys stuck with the game plan and because of that we got a point in conference on the road."
 – Monmouth Men's Soccer Head Coach Robert McCourt
 
- It was the second meeting all-time between the Hawks and Phoenix.  
- Ben Zakowski now has two game-tying goals on the season. 
- Chris Morandi recorded his first point of the season as he contributed the assist on Zakowski's goal. 
- Zakowski has a goal in two out of the last three matches for the Hawks.
- Eryk Dymora has contributed at least two saves in all four contests this season. 
 
NUMBERS CRUNCH
- Monmouth held a commanding 18-6 advantage in shots in the contest. The Hawks put eight shots on goal to Elon's three. The 18 shots match the Hawks' season-high while the eight shots on goal are a season-high.
- Tomas Wroblewski made seven saves in the match while Monmouth's Eryk Dymora had two. 
- The Hawks had a season-high 11 corner kicks in the contest while holding Elon to just three.
- Eight Hawks put at least one shot on goal in the match.

UP NEXT
-After a pair of road contests, the Hawks return home to host LeMoyne on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.