NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., October 29, 2022 – Two late first-half goals proved to be the difference, as the No. 3-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's soccer team shut out Harcum College, 2-0, in Saturday's East District Championship semifinal matchup at Skidelsky Field. The Mustangs improve to 11-0-2 overall and advance to next Saturday's East District Championship finals, while Harcum falls to 6-6.
It took until the 40th minute of the game, but the Mustangs finally broke through with a goal from Bruno Rosa off an assist by Felipe Jaime Arruda, making it a 1-0 lead for Monroe late in the first half. The Mustangs then managed to pick up another goal before the end of the first. Rosa got the assist this time around, setting up Diogo Bastos to double the lead at 2-0 with just 16 seconds left in the half.
Both teams locked down defensively in the second half, with the Mustangs only managing one shot attempt in the period. As a result, neither team put another goal on the board, giving the Mustangs a 2-0 shutout victory to advance to next Saturday's finals.
Maurice Koenig made his return in net on Saturday and did not skip a beat, making six saves without allowing a goal for a shutout victory, improving his record to 8-0-1. Simon Prebensen took the loss for Harcum after making four saves, but allowing both Mustang goals.
The Mustangs held a narrow 12-8 edge in shots in the game, but shots on goal were even at 7-7. Corner kicks in the game were also even at 3-3.
The Mustangs are now set to host the East District Championship game at Skidelsky Field next Saturday, Nov. 5. Monroe will take on Montgomery College after the Raptors defeated Monroe Community College, 4-1, in their semifinal matchup this afternoon. Kickoff next Saturday is set for 2 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well 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 11 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).
