Monmouth University Athletics

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The University of Pennsylvania jumped out to a two-goal lead at the half and claimed a 4-1 win over the Monmouth University men's soccer team in a weather shortened contest on Tuesday night. 

Victor Andersson scored his first goal of the season to lead the Monmouth efforts in the contest. 

Penn held a 15-7 advantage in shots and took five of the match's nine corner kicks.

The Quakers applied the pressure early in the contest picking up two shots in the first five minutes of the contest. Monmouth defender Leo Zonta had a pair of early slide tackles to break up opportunities.

Penn got on the board at 5:11 as Marco Bottene took a pass from the near side and pushed a shot into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Herman Johnsen made his first save of the contest before Penn got a second goal from Bottene at the 16:39 mark. 

Monmouth had a chance on a free kick from just outside the box in the 18th minute but forward Jasen Bottini's shot was blocked.

Monmouth broke through and made it a 2-1 game at 22:37 as defender Raul Garcia played a ball into the right side of the box. Andersson headed the ball home for the goal.
 

The Hawks had a couple of corner kick opportunities but were unable to connect. 

Penn tacked on one more goal before the half as Adam Ambrus-Aikelin scored for a 3-1 advantage.

Midfielder Jessy Bichler got off a pair of shots in the final five minutes of the period but one was blocked and the other was saved by the Penn keeper. 

Monmouth came out firing to start the second half as Bottini had a shot that was saved and midfielder Tommy Damiano's shot slide just wide. 

Penn added to its lead at 52:36 with a goal from Mario Stoka.

Johnsen made a pair of solid stops for the Hawks but neither team was able to connect for a goal.

The game was called in the 77th minute as weather moved into the area.

Phillip Falcon III made two saves in the win for Penn. Johnsen finished with four saves for the Hawks while Monmouth defense was also credited with a team save.

Johnsen, Zonta and defender Eric Palei all logged all 77 minutes in the contest for the Hawks. Bottini led Monmouth with three shots in the match.

Monmouth returns home to host La Salle on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 pm. 
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