MIAMI, Fla., September 4, 2024 – The No. 15-ranked Monroe University Mustangs women's soccer team found itself in a tight battle at Miami Dade College on Wednesday, but unfortunately had its late comeback bid fall just short, as the Mustangs fell to the host Sharks, 3-2. Monroe drops to 3-2 overall with the loss, while the Sharks improve to 3-1.
The Sharks got the scoring started quickly in Wednesday morning's matchup. Tessa Abreu scored in the third minute to give the home team a quick one-goal lead.
The Mustangs eventually broke through to tie the game in the 26th minute. Monroe's points leader,
Katherine Neves, added to her total with the tying goal off an assist from
Maiko Kikuchi to make it a 1-1 game midway through the first half.
It was not long before the home team struck again to take the lead back. Julia Gurgel potted one in the 31st minute, giving the Sharks a 2-1 advantage that they eventually took into the halftime break.
10 minutes into the second half, the Sharks doubled their lead. Rebeka Gaal netted the home team's third goal off a feed from Elizabeth Mata to put the Sharks up by two in the 56th minute.
Neves continued her hot streak with another goal later in the frame. She hit the back of the net for the second time on Wednesday in the 68th minute, getting the Mustangs back within a goal at 3-2. In the final two minutes, the Mustangs had a couple chances near the goal, but a header by
Katherine Bean-Rosario was blocked, and then a shot by
Valentina Carmona was saved, resulting in an unfortunate defeat for Monroe.
Beatrice Vitaletti made six saves in the game, but allowed three goals to take her second loss of the season. Ashley Fonseca stopped 13 shots for the Sharks with just two goals allowed to earn the win.
With two goals and four points in Wednesday's match, Neves moves into a tie for second in the NJCAA with 25 points on the season, while also tying for fifth with eight goals. She remains atop the leaderboard with nine assists this season. Kikuchi registered her fourth assist of the season in the game.
The Mustangs get back at it tomorrow morning, Sept. 5, when Miami Dade hosts a matchup between Monroe and Polk State College. Thursday's kickoff is set for 11 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).
