Enid, Oklahoma - Monroe's remarkable 2025 campaign came to an end on Tuesday afternoon, falling 4-1 to Daytona State in the NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer National Tournament. The matchup pitted the Mustangs against the reigning national champions, an undefeated Daytona State side that has been carrying last year's title momentum into this postseason.
Monroe didn't back down from the challenge and delivered one of the grittiest performances of its season. The Mustangs matched the Falcons chance-for-chance through long stretches, firing 11 total shots and putting eight on frame. Wiktoria Mikrut was the engine up top, generating four shots on goal and burying Monroe's lone tally, a composed penalty kick in the 54th minute that temporarily pulled the match level at 1–1.
Daytona State, however, showed why they were #1 seed in the tournament. The Falcons regained the lead less than two minutes after Monroe's equalizer and added insurance goals in the 77th and 88th minutes. Despite the final scoreline, Monroe goalkeeper Magdalena Syrek turned in a gutsy effort with four saves, including several high-pressure stops that kept the Mustangs within striking distance until the late stages.
Monroe's back line anchored by Julia Machado, Sakurako Hara, and Valentina Carmona absorbed waves of pressure while still helping launch counterattacks that created meaningful looks in transition. First-year contributors like Leonor Lirio De Sousa and Sara Dakdouka also made significant impacts off the bench, fueling stretches of sustained attacking play.
The Mustangs earned four corners in the second half and continued pushing numbers forward late, refusing to concede momentum to a Daytona State squad that has dominated the national stage for two consecutive years. Even as the Falcons added late scores, Monroe's collective resilience and work rate never dipped.
With the loss, Monroe closes a season defined by growth, consistency, and a return to the national tournament stage.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as 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).
