LANCASTER, S.C., August 25, 2023 – The defending NJCAA Champions looked like they haven't skipped a beat on Friday, as the No. 1-ranked Monroe College Mustangs men's soccer team shut out USC Sumter, 5-0, at USC Lancaster's home field to open the 2023 campaign. Five different goal scorers and two goalkeepers combined to earn the victory for Monroe.
 
Sunao Yamamoto got the Mustangs on the board for the first time this season in the 13th minute when he scored off an assist by Tal Torgeman for a 1-0 lead. Hugo Dzinkinsons then doubled the lead late in the first half when he was set up by fellow sophomore Shotaro Kino for his first goal of the season at 43' to give the Mustangs a 2-0 advantage at the half.
 
The Mustangs kept rolling right from the jump in the second half when Ryosuke Tanaka potted one in the 49th minute to make it a 3-0 game. Torgeman then got on the board himself in the 68th minute off an assist from Hayato Otaka to push the lead to four. Ollie Weir picked up one more goal for good measure at the 82-minute mark to secure the 5-0 win.
 
Riku Yamasaki got the start in net for Monroe, going a scoreless 45 minutes with one save to earn his first win. Alvaro Ramos then took over in the second half and kept the Fire Ants off the board again with a pair of saves. USC Sumter stater Earl Dyck took the loss after yielding two goals in the first half with four saves, while Eric Bronovitskiy took over the in the second frame, yielding three goals while stopping four shots.
 
Torgeman totaled three points with a goal and an assist in the win, while each of Monroe's goal scorers registered their first of the season. Kino had the other assist for Monroe to get things going after an All-American campaign last year.
 
The Mustangs held a significant 21-5 edge in total shots over the Fire Ants, while owning a 14-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Mustangs also earned nine corner kicks, while USC Sumter had just one in the game.
 
The Mustangs get a day off to recover on Saturday before getting back to work on Sunday, Aug. 27, when they face off with host USC Lancaster. Kickoff on Sunday is set for an early 10:00 a.m.
 
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). Read Full Article