BALTIMORE, Md., September 18, 2021 – Isaac Garro Coto scored three times, including what proved to be the game-winner, helping lead the No. 11-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's soccer team to a 6-2 victory over Div. II No. 1 CCBC Essex Saturday afternoon at the CCBC Essex Stadium. The Mustangs improve to 3-1 overall with their third straight win, while the Knights suffer their first loss of the year and drop to 5-1.
 
The defenses on both sides were playing tough throughout the opening half, but the Mustangs broke through in the 27th minute. Liam Murray managed to find the back of the net on a free kick at 26:40, giving Monroe a 1-0 edge. After some more defensive struggle, the Mustangs added to their lead with time dwindling in the first half. Ivan Silic won a one-on-one with the keeper on a breakaway, doubling Monroe's lead in the 44th minute to send the game to halftime with the Mustangs on top, 2-0.
 
The second half was quiet for both teams until the 72nd minute. Streaking down the far sideline, Garro Coto fired one toward the bottom-right corner from the far-right wing and bent it just inside the pipe and past the keeper for an incredible score that put the Mustangs ahead, 3-0, with just over 18 minutes left in regulation. Nils Friebe got in on the action in the 76th minute after being set up by Joao Costa, making it a four-goal lead for Monroe late in the contest. The flood gates looked to be wide open at that point, as Garro Coto scored once again in the 78th minute off Costa's second assist of the game, making it a 5-0 Mustang lead.
 
Monroe's shutout ended with just under nine minutes to play, as Toga Katsuma got one past the keeper in the 81st minute to make it a 5-1 game. Just 26 seconds later, Henry Ortiz scored again for the Knights to cut the deficit to three with 8:35 still left on the clock. The Mustangs regrouped and buckled down on defense after that, and then took advantage of a late free kick that saw Garro Coto complete his hat trick at 87:52, leading to the final score of 6-2 in favor of Monroe.
 
Tomaso Lorenzi picked up his third win for the Mustangs, making four saves in the game. Brendan LeMaster made eight stops for the Knights, but yielded six goals to take his first loss of the season.
 
Garro Coto's three goals give him a team-high six through four games so far this season. He also leads the team with 12 points. Ivan Silic netted his fourth of the year, and he now stands second on the team with his four goals and 10 points. Murray netted his third score of the year, while Friebe picked up his second. Costa's two assists in the game now tie him with Silic and Friebe for the most on the team this season.
 
The Mustangs continue a challenging run next week when they take a trip to Kansas for a pair of tough matchups. First, they will head to Arkansas City, Kan., to take on No. 13 Cowley College on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 8 p.m. The Mustangs will then trek over to Coffeyville, Kan., to take on No. 17 Coffeyville Community College on Friday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 39 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 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 and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 18 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).