PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –
Andrea Croce scored in the 85th minute to lift the Monmouth University men's soccer team to a 2-1 win at Temple University on Tuesday night.
The Hawks took a season-high 21 shots in the contest and held a 21-11 advantage in that category. Monmouth took six of the match's 11 shots on goal. The Hawks finished with a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
Temple took the first three shots of the match, one of which was saved by Monmouth's
Herman Johnsen.
After
Raul Garcia had a shot saved and
Jessy Bichler had one blocked, the Hawks broke through in the 18th minute of the contest.
The Hawks played a ball up the near sideline to
Brendan Tansey. Tansey settled the ball and sent one into
Tommy Damiano, who was just inside the box. Damiano ripped a shot into the far upper corner for the 1-0 advantage.
The Hawks continued to pressure as
Leo Zonta had one saved in the 23rd minute.
Johnsen made a big time save on Nathan Brown in the 41st minute which sent the Hawks into the break up 1-0.
Monmouth came out of the half and immediately applied the pressure. The Hawks rattled off six shots in the first 10 minutes of the half but couldn't convert.
Johnsen made another save for the Hawks in the 56th minute to keep Temple off the scoreboard.
The Owls struck for the equalizer in the 58th minute as Aaron Sullivan scored.
The two teams continued to battle over the next several minutes as they traded shots.
Monmouth got what turned out to be the game-winner in the 85th minute. The Hawks played the ball forward and found
Marco Li Vigni. The freshman headed one across the top of the box and Croce drove it home for the 2-1 lead.
Each team got off one more shot but neither was able to convert as Monmouth claimed the 2-1 win.
Johnsen made four saves to earn the win in goal for the Hawks. Dylan Kaye finished with four saves in the loss for the Owls.
Damiano's goal was his first of his career. He's the third different Hawk (
Brady Orendac,
Leo Zonta) to score their first career goal this season.
Andrea Croce's goal was his first of the season.
Li Vigni picked up his first career point with an assist on Croce's game-winner. Tansey's assist was his first of the season and second of his career.
The Hawks wrap up the regular season when they travel to Drexel on Saturday, Oct. 31 for a 1 p.m. game.
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