NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., April 14, 2021 – The defending NJCAA Div. I Men's Soccer Champion and No. 1-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's soccer team picked up right where it left off more than a year ago, defeating Suffolk County Community College, 7-0, Wednesday afternoon at Skidelsky Field. The Mustangs start the season at 1-0, while the Sharks drop to 2-1.
 
Tom Worm scored the first goal of the year for the Mustangs in the 24th minute of the game. He redirected a cross from Harry Pinchard past the keeper and into the back of the net for an early 1-0 advantage for Monroe.
 
The Mustangs doubled the lead in the 43rd minute of the half. After a corner kick by Leon Sitz went off a defender, Cooper Nunn found it right in the middle of the box, tapping it past the keeper to leave the Mustangs ahead, 2-0, heading into the half.
 
One of just two returners to the team this season, Cameron Murray got the second-half scoring started for the Mustangs. He took the ball just past midfield and sprinted past the defense to go one-on-one with the goalie, beating him to the left of the net to make it a 3-0 game in the 48th minute.
 
The lead expanded to four goals in the 55th minute of the game. Leon Sitz was in deep just outside the right crossbar when he crossed the ball to the front of the net, allowing Ivan Silic to tap it off his toe and over the line for Monroe's fourth score of the day.
 
Liam Murray got on the board for the Mustangs' fifth score of the day. He was fed from in deep by Simon Gartmann, allowing him to one-time it past the keeper in the 63rd minute to make it a 5-0 match.
 
Silic scored his second of the day after the Mustangs took a foul in the box. He was given a penalty-kick opportunity and succeeded on the try to make it a 6-0 game in the 72nd minute.
 
Liam Murray got on the board for a second time as well in the 82nd minute of the game. He fired a shot from the far left wing and beat the keeper to make it a 7-0 contest.
 
Mathew Nikolovski earns the shutout victory to start his Mustang career at 1-0, but he was helped out by a stellar Mustang backline that did not allow a single shot on goal. Suffolk goalkeeper Jay Scolaro made 21 saves in the game.
 
Silic and Liam Murray each scored twice in the win. Pinchard, Sitz and Gartmann each provided an assist. Worm scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, while Nunn and Cameron Murray provided the other two Mustangs goals.
 
The Mustangs dominated in the offensive zone, firing off 45 shots compared to just one for the visitors. Monroe also had 12 corner kicks to just one for Suffolk.
 
The Mustangs have a nine-day gap between games, but they will be back in action at home on Friday, April 23, when they host the Monroe Express at Skidelsky Field in New Rochelle. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 36 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports program, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 17 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 Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).