Tyler, Texas – This season has been a triumphant one for the Monroe College Men's Soccer team. This is especially true for the team's returning sophomores, who fell just short of the National Tournament last year after a late-season loss to ASA College. Their determination to succeed has been evident throughout the team's undefeated season and Region XV Championship win, and was shown clearly on Wednesday, when they were instrumental in Monroe's 4-0 win over Daytona State College at the National Tournament. As a result, the team will play against Ancilla College in the semifinal round on Friday.
Freshman goalie
Svyat Kozak was challenged early and often by the Daytona State attack. The Norwalk, Connecticut product proved that he was up to the challenge, turning aside seven shots en route to earning the clean sheet victory.
Monroe got on the board in the 33
rd minute, when freshman
Jamal Manley West went on a run and beat the keeper for the game's first goal. The score remained at 1-0 into halftime.
The Mustangs took a 2-0 lead in the 53
rd minute, when
Luiz Soupinski found team captain
Evan Finnegan for the goal. It was Finnegan's fourth goal in two games at the NJCAA Championship.
Ignacio Goya earned an unassisted marker in the 84
th minute, and the game was put away when
Jorge Paez connected with
Andreas Time on a goal in the 88
th minute. Monroe won 4-0.
Sophomores Finnegan, Paez, and Time all got on the scoring action for Monroe. Their classmate,
Veux Mane, also saw action in the game.
The team improved to 18-0 with the victory, outscoring its opponents 104-7 this season. The Mustangs will return to action on Friday, November 18
th, against Ancilla College. The game will begin at 6:30 PM EST, and can be viewed
here.