The Monroe Mustangs women's soccer team took about a half of football to find its stride at Essex CC on Wednesday and when they did, they turned in a 6-1 win to raise the season record of the nation's #3-ranked team to 11-1. 
 
"Our goal has always been and will always be to set the standard of play in every match, and then crush it the following one," said Coach Jonathan Garbar.  "While we didn't get into our rhythm until the second half, we are pleased with the manner in which we adjusted ourselves and competed after half time."
 
Sophomore Gemma Craine maybe also finding her rhythm.  The British frontliner had three goals and two assists against the Wolverines. 
 
But it wasn't her heroics that necessarily impressed Coach Garbar.  He was mostly pleased with the blue collar workers who provided the backbone for Monroe.
 
"I was especially impressed with players like (sophomore defender) Stephanie Gonzalez, and (sophomore midfielder) Katia Rivas  who put in big time shifts and executed what was asked," he said.
 
Kathellen Sousa, Gabriela Maidana, and Samantha Mendez had Monroe's other goals.
 
"We are stretching ourselves consistently every day in our preparation," the coach said, "and that is the difference.  I'm looking forward to our continued preparation tomorrow."
 
Monroe will play Harford at City Park on Saturday at 1:00pm and will play ASA for a chance to win their third-straight Region championship on Friday, October 23 at 1:00pm during the college's Homecoming Week.