Monmouth University Athletics

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Seniors Raul Garcia and Javier Losa each scored a goal to lead the Monmouth University men's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Rutgers-Newark on Tuesday evening. 

The Hawks held a 19-6 edge in shots in the contest while the Hawks took seven of the match's 11 corner kicks. 

"It was a nice game tonight," said head coach Robert McCourt. "Rutgers Newark are a very well coached program. The boys played well and earned a clean sheet. We are excited to get back into CAA matches this weekend."

The Hawks wasted little time in getting the offense going as junior Jasen Bottini and Garcia pushed shots just wide in the first 15 minutes of the contest.

Monmouth looked like it had a goal from junior Victor Andersson in the 21st minute but the Hawks were called for offsides. 

Freshman Rokas Jarusevicius entered the match at the 20:50 mark and it immediately paid dividends for the Hawks. He went back-and-forth moving the ball with Garcia and his pass led to Garcia firing one home for the 1-0 lead. 

The Hawks outshot Rutgers Newark 4-1 over the final 20+ minutes of the first half but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Monmouth took the 1-0 lead at the break.
 
Monmouth continued to apply the pressure to start the second half as the Hawks fired off three shots in the first three minutes of the period.

Back-to-back saves from sophomore Herman Johnsen in the 62nd minute helped the Hawks maintain the 1-0 advantage. 

The Hawks doubled their lead in the 63rd minute as Monmouth was awarded a free kick. Losa took the kick and curled a long shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the season. 

Monmouth forced Rutgers-Newark keepers to make four saves over the course of the final 20+ minutes but could not add to its lead. 

A big time save from Johnsen in the 69th minute helped secure the shutout.

Monmouth claimed the 2-0 victory. 

Johnsen finished with four saves to secure his second shutout of the season for the Hawks. Three Rutgers-Newark keepers combined for seven saves in the loss. 

The goals were the second of the season for both Garcia and Losa. Jarusevicius' assist was his second of the season which is tied for the team lead. Johnsen's shutout was his second of the season and fourth of his career. 

The Hawks return to action when they visit Stony Brook on Sept. 26 at 2 pm.

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