MELBOURNE, Fla., November 18, 2019 – The opening contest of the 2019 NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship Monday morning was a tense battle between top-seeded Monroe College Mustangs women's soccer and No. 12 Monroe Community College, the third "Monroe Derby" matchup of the 2019 season. The Tribunes managed to grab an early second-half lead, but the Mustangs stormed right back to score the final four goals of the game to win, 4-1, at Orlando Health Stadium on the campus of Eastern Florida State College. The Mustangs open Pool Play in Pool A with a 1-0 record, while the Tribunes start 0-1.
 
The Mustangs picked up a pair of decisive victories over the Tribunes earlier in the season, making the first 51 minutes of Monday's contest a big surprise. The Tribunes came to play, keeping the Mustangs on their heels all through the first half, while goalkeeper Meryl Wakefield made some big plays to keep the Mustangs off the board. Stefane Rosa did just the same for the Mustangs, helping send the game to halftime without a goal despite some strong scoring opportunities on both ends.
 
The scoring finally got started in the 51st minute when a miscommunication led to the Tribunes taking the lead. A cross in the defensive zone meant for Rosa came up short and ended up right in front of Katrina Yencer, who was able to get past Rosa near the top of the box and tap strike it into the goal to give the Tribunes a 1-0 advantage.
 
That lead did not even make it 60 seconds, as the Mustangs were given a penalty-kick opportunity when Luana Grabias was fouled in the box at the 51:35 mark. Grabias put one low and slow to the left of Wakefield, getting it just past her and over the line to tie the game at 1-1.
 
It was not long before Mustangs were able to jump into the lead. In the 57th minute, Grabias fired from the far-left wing, but the shot was stopped by Wakefield. Sydoney Clarke was right on the goal line and fired the rebound off her left foot just between Wakefield and the left post and into the net to put the Mustangs up, 2-1.
 
Later in the half, a slow through ball made its way through a number of players from both teams and ended up in front of Laia Munoz Danon, who sprinted toward the box with it and shot to the low-right corner from right in front of the keeper to push Monroe's lead to 3-1 at the 68:24 mark.
 
In the 76th minute, the Mustangs were once again sprinting toward the net. The Mustangs were in line with two Tribunes chasing down the ball when the keeper came out to take it away. Wakefield's attempt to get the ball away from the box resulted in her bouncing it right to Regina Fiabema, who made her pay by redirecting it into the net to leave the Mustangs on top, 4-1.
 
Rosa matched a season-high with nine saves in Monday's win, improving her season record to 12-0. Wakefield shouldered the loss for the Tribunes after making five saves but allowing four goals.
 
The Mustangs are now one win away from advancing to the NJCAA Div. I Women's Soccer Championship semifinals by going 2-0 in Pool A. The Tribunes will play again tomorrow, taking on No. 8 Laramie County Community College. The Mustangs will then take on Laramie County on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m. to wrap up pool play.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 12 teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).