If it turns out that the Monroe Mustangs men's soccer team does not advance to the semi finals of the NJCAA Men's Division I National Championships it will not be because they didn't do all they could.  After Wednesday morning's convincing 3-0 win over #6-seeded Northeast Texas, all #10-seeded Monroe can do now is wait to see the outcome of Thursday's match between the Eagles and #3-seeded Louisburg, the other two teams in Pool C.
 
If Texas wins or loses by less than three goals, the Pool Play guidelines would advance Monroe to the weekend's semifinals.  If Louisburg should win by more than three goals, Monroe's season is over.  If a Louisburg win is three goals, then the Mustangs and Hurricanes will square off in a rare winner-take-all game of two sudden-death ten-minute periods, that would conclude with PK's if necessary.
 
After the victory Monroe coach Marcus Dibernado was effusive in his praise of his team that got a tie (1-1, yesterday against Louisburg) and a win in the national tournament, playing two games at 9:30 in the morning on consecutive days 2500 miles from home, a seemingly insurmountable feat.
 
"We beat an 18-2 team who probably should have been ranked higher than #6 in the country," he said.  "We did it and made it look easy, but it wasn't easy. It is a credit to our guys.  They were spectacular today.  So if we do get eliminated from the tournament there is nothing else we could have done.  In my mind, these guys are national champions even if we don't make it through because we didn't lose under some incredibly difficult circumstances."
 
The Mustangs broke open the scoring late in the first half on a gorgeous header right in front of the net by sophomore Michael Henry, who took a beautiful feed from freshman Nelite Soanes, one of the many Mustangs pressed into service because of the grueling schedule the exhausted Mustangs were forced to play. 
 
Then with just 1:11 showing on the clock, sophomore Tarek Beckles launched a monstrous 25-footer high into the center of the net to give Monroe a 2-0 lead.  He was assisted by sophomore Tumba Felekini, who started the game.
 
Seconds later, Henry got yet another goal with just :24 showing on the clock.  The assist on that one went to freshman keeper Ian McGrane.

Coach Dibernardo said the combination of injuries which have depleted his roster and the two-games-in-two days scenario forced the Mustangs to play smart.
 
"When you have to play back-to-back you have to conserve your energy and play back and then him them on the counter.  It looks easy, but it's extremely hard to do."
 
Monroe is now 12-3-1 on the season as they await the result of the Louisburg/Northeast Texas game that will determine their fate in the nationals.

WATCH THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT - LIVE