WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Leo Zonta scored his first collegiate goal as the Monmouth men's soccer team battled Stony Brook to a 1-1 draw on Saturday afternoon at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn.
The result moved Monmouth to 2-7-3 overall and 1-3-3 with six points in CAA play, while Stony Brook stands at 8-1-6 and 3-1-3 in conference action. The Hawks held a 12-11 advantage in shots and a 6-4 edge in shots on goal against a Seawolves squad that entered the match with just one loss on the season.
After a scoreless first half, the Hawks broke through in the opening minutes of the second half before the visitors leveled the contest just minutes later. Both teams had opportunities late, but neither side was able to deliver the tiebreaking goal and each team walked away with a point.
"I thought the boys played really well today, it was a hard fault CAA game," said Monmouth Head Coach Rob McCourt. "We had some good moments, possessing the ball and creating some chances and so did Stony Brook. It was a good college soccer game."
Monmouth wasted little time creating scoring opportunities, putting two shots on target in the opening four minutes. Jessy Bichler forced a save from Stony Brook goalkeeper Heidar Hermannsson less than three minutes in before Brady Orendac had an attempt stopped by the Seawolves' defense less than 60 seconds later.
The Hawks continued to pressure Stony Brook throughout the opening half. Tommy Damiano put a shot on goal in the 22nd minute, while Raul Garcia forced another save in the 29th minute. Monmouth held a 6-5 advantage in shots through the first 45 minutes, but neither side found the back of the net as the teams entered halftime scoreless.
Monmouth broke through in the 51st minute when Zonta scored his first career goal to give the Hawks a 1-0 advantage. Sean Cadigan picked up the assist on the play, his first helper of the season.
The Seawolves responded less than seven minutes later, as Finlay Oliver connected on his third goal of the season at in the 58th minute off an assist from Nelson Reynoso to even the match at 1-1.
Both sides continued searching for the go-ahead goal throughout the final 30 minutes. Herman Seierstad Johnsen kept the match level with a save on Alex Fleury in the 75th minute, while Monmouth generated several opportunities in the closing stages. Jasen Bottini sent an attempt high in the 87th minute before Eric Palei forced Hermannsson into a save with two minutes till the final whistle
Stony Brook earned a pair of corner kicks in the final minute, but the Monmouth defense held firm to secure the 1-1 draw.
Monmouth netminder Seierstad Johnsen finished with three saves across the full 90 minutes. Garcia and Palei led the Hawks with three shots apiece, while Monmouth controlled 57 percent of possession and both teams finished with eight corner kicks.
The Hawks will return to action on Tuesday in Philadelphia, taking on Temple, before wrapping up the regular season next Saturday back in the City of Brotherly Love against Drexel.
