DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., September 20, 2022 – The No. 8-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's soccer team looked destined to pick up a big win to open its week in Florida, but a goal by No. 17 Eastern Florida State College in the final seconds sent the game to overtime, eventually resulting in a 1-1 stalemate between the Mustangs and Titans Tuesday evening at Daytona State College. The Mustangs move to 6-0-1 on the season, while the Titans go to 2-4-1.
The Mustangs took advantage of their best chance of the game in the 54th minute.
Diego Batista received a pass outside the box, then crossed to
Cade Erickson standing a few yards beyond the top of the box. Erickson tapped it right back to Batista streaking into the box, where he bounced off a defender, stumbled toward the net, and still managed to tap it past the keeper to the right of the net for the score, giving Monroe the 1-0 edge early in the second half.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs, Batista's goal ultimately did not prove to be the game-winner. With just seconds left to play, Sam Bayly sent a long free kick into the box, where most of the Titans, including their goalkeeper, were charging in trying to net the equalizer. The long pass found the leg of Junior Smith, who redirected it in traffic into the goal to tie the game with just 14 seconds left in regulation, sending the game to overtime.
Midway through the first overtime period,
Maurice Koenig made a stop for the Mustangs, and then Jorge Ortega made a save for the Titans moments later. Those were the only opportunities of the 10-minute frame for either team, forcing a second overtime. The Mustangs had a chance to win the game early in the second overtime after the Titans took a red card.
Bruno Rosa took a free kick from over 30 yards out, but sent it high.
Tony Yeboah took the only other shot of the period, but also shot high, eventually resulting in the 1-1 tie.
Koenig made five saves and allowed just the one goal in 110 minutes in Tuesday's draw. Ortega made three saves and also allowed one score.
The Mustangs attempted 14 shots in the game, but put just four of them on goal. The Titans were efficient with their shot attempts, putting 6-of-7 on net. The Titans held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
Monroe will look to return to its winning streak on Thursday, Sept. 22, when they face another big challenge in No. 4 Daytona State. Kickoff is set for 7 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).
