NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., September 15, 2024 – In the team's first regular-season contest at home this year, the No. 17-ranked Monroe University Mustangs men's soccer team defeated NJCAA Div. II No. 5 CCBC Essex, 3-1, Saturday afternoon at Skidelsky Field. The Mustangs pick up their first win and improve to 1-2, while the Knights fall to 5-2 overall.
The Mustangs got on the board quickly in Saturday's matchup when
Harumi Yunaiyama potted one off an assist from
Hayato Otaka in the 10th minute for an early 1-0 advantage. The Mustangs then doubled the lead in the 23rd minute when
Jin Yamamoto scored off a feed from
Braxton Richards for a two-goal lead. With under a minute to play in the half, the Knights got one back on a goal from Ryunosuke Noda to cut Monroe's lead in half, sending the game to the break with Monroe ahead, 2-1.
The final goal of the game was scored by the Mustangs in the 56th minute. Yamamoto netted his second of the day after an assist from
Taiga Matoba. The Mustangs then held on for the final 34 minutes of the game to snag a 3-1 victory at home.
Alvaro Ramos got the start for the Mustangs and played the whole first half, earning the win after making three saves with just one goal allowed.
Pedro De Oliveira Medeiros took over for the second half and kept the Knights off the board with two saves.
Yamamoto totaled four points on two goals in the victory. Yunaiyama contributed Monroe's other goal on the day, while Otaka and Matoba each provided an assist.
The Mustangs had a narrow 12-10 edge on the Knights in shots in the win, with a 9-6 lead in shots on goal. Monroe had four corner kicks, while CCBC Essex earned three.
The Mustangs play next this coming Saturday, Sept. 21, when they host Massasoit Community College at Skidelsky Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe University 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.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).
