NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., October 30, 2023 – The No. 8-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's soccer team is set to host the East District Championship semifinal this Wednesday, Nov. 1, at Skidelsky Field. The Mustangs will welcome No. 19-ranked Monroe Community College back to New Rochelle after the Tribunes defeated Harcum College in Saturday's quarterfinal matchup. The winner of Wednesday afternoon's contest will earn the right to host the East District Championship final against Montgomery College on Saturday, Nov. 4.
 
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
2023 NJCAA Division I East District Championship
Northern Bracket: Regions 3, 15, 19
Southern Bracket: Region 20
 
Northern Bracket Schedule/Results:
Quarterfinal:
Saturday, Oct. 28
#2 Monroe CC vs. #3 Harcum
Rochester, NY
Monroe CC 3, Harcum 1
 
Semifinal:
Wednesday, Nov. 1 – 1:00 PM
#1 Monroe College vs. #2 Monroe Community College
Skidelsky Field (City Park) – New Rochelle, NY
 
Southern Bracket (R20) Schedule/Results:
Semifinal (Region 20 Final):
Saturday, Oct. 28
#1 Harford vs. #2 Montgomery
Montgomery 2, Harford 1
 
East District Championship Final:
Saturday, Nov. 4 – Time TBD
Winner Northern Bracket vs. Montgomery
Hosted by Northern Bracket Winner
 
SEMIFINAL COVERAGE
Live Video: YouTube.com/MonroeMustangs  
Live Stats: MonroeCollegeMustangs.com/MSOCLiveStats
 
MUSTANGS EARN FIRST-ROUND BYE AS NORTHERN BRACKET'S TOP SEED
The Mustangs took the top spot in the Northern Bracker of the East District by defeating both Harcum College and Monroe Community College this season. The Mustangs played Harcum on the road back on Sept. 19, defeating the Bears, 2-1. Sunao Yamamoto scored the game's first goal before Harcum tied it up late in the first half. Felipe Jaime Arruda then scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 73rd minute.
 
The Mustangs and Tribunes faced off in each team's regular-season finale on Oct. 20 in New Rochelle. Despite a 14-2 advantage in shot attempts for the Mustangs, the game came down to a first-half penalty kick goal by Gun Ha Lee, eventually resulting in a 1-0 victory for the Mustangs that officially earned them the top spot in the Northern Bracket of the East District Championship.
 
MUSTANGS TEAM LEADERS
The 9-2-1 Mustangs are led offensively by Tal Torgeman, who has produced team-highs of 18 points and seven goals this season. He is tied with Gun Ha Lee with four assists to lead the team. Lee's five goals match Felipe Jaime Arruda and Sunao Yamamoto for second on the team, while his 14 points stand alone in second. Ryosuke Tanaka is Monroe's fifth player with double-digit points on four goals and two assists.
 
The Mustangs can credit a strong and deep back line for their 39-8 scoring differential on the season. Monroe is allowing just 4.4 shot attempts per game through 12 matches. This has been a big help to starting goalkeepers Alvaro Ramos and Riku Yamasaki, who have each made six starts in net. Ramos has a 0.64 goals-against average and a .750 save percentage through 10 appearances, while Yamasaki has a 0.73 goals-against average with a .556 save percentage.
 
SCOUTING THE TRIBUNES
Monroe Community College enters Wednesday's semifinal matchup with a 9-1-2 record, having defeated Harcum College in Saturday's quarterfinal by a score of 3-1. Through 12 contests, the Tribunes have a 54-6 scoring differential.
 
Mohamed Souhail leads the way for the Tribunes with 18 points on seven goals and four assists this season. Brandon Johnson has scored a team-high eight goals. Sean Dickie's seven assists lead the Tribunes, while Elio Stocker and Hamish Campbell have each dished out six apiece. Stocker has also scored five goals and sits third on the team with 16 points.
 
Damian Bohler has started 11 games for the Tribunes in net. He has a 0.58 goals-against average in that span, having made 35 saves for a .854 save percentage.
Monroe Community College Men's Soccer Homepage
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe College marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven 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).