Monmouth University Athletics

STONY BROOK, NY – Raul Garcia scored his team-leading third goal of the season, but it was not enough as the Monmouth University men's soccer team fell 2-1 at Stony Brook University in Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) play on Monday.

Stony Brook held a 9-8 edge in shots in the match and took six of the contest's nine corner kicks. 

Monmouth goalkeeper Herman Johnsen slide to the left side of the net and made a key stop for the Hawks in the 14th minute of the match.

The Hawks had a good opportunity at 22:41 as Jasen Bottini took a free kick for the Hawks at the top of the box. Heidar Hermannsson was able to just get a hand on the ball and force it over the top.

The next 20 minutes was played out primarily in the midfield as the two teams battled back and forth. 

Stony Brook was able to break through for a goal in the final 15 seconds of the first half. The Seawolves got a corner kick and Elliot Burgueno snuck one past the Monmouth defense. 

Stony Brook took the 1-0 lead at the break.

Monmouth needed just 37 seconds to fire off the first shot of the second half. Garcia put a shot on the bottom left but Hermannsson was able to get hands on it.

The Hawks got the equalizer at 57:56 as the Hawks were awarded a free kick. Bottini put the ball into the box and Garcia headed it home and made it a 1-1 contest. 

The Monmouth offense continued to press as Garcia and Brady Orendac forced Hermannsson to make a pair of big stops. 

Stony Brook went back on top at 69:02 on a goal from Ryan Farr.

The two teams traded shots over the final 20 minutes but neither side was able to score another one. Stony Brook claimed the 2-1 hard fought victory.

Hermannsson made four saves to earn the win in goal for Stony Brook. Johnsen finished with two saves in the loss for the Hawks. 

Garcia's goal was his team-leading third goal of the season. That tied his career-high for goals in a season (three at Governors State in 2024). Bottini picked up his team-leading third assist of the season in the contest. Bottini matched his career-best for points in a season with seven (two goals, three assists).

The Hawks are off until Tuesday, Oct. 6 when they travel to St. John's for a 7 p.m. match. 

*****
To follow along with everything Hawks Athletics follow @muhawks on Instagram and @MonmouthHawks on X and Facebook. To keep up with Men's Soccer follow @monmouthsoccer on Instagram, X and Facebook.