NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The #2-seeded Monroe Mustangs women’s soccer team lived up to their ranking in their first match of the 2014 NJCAA Women’s Division I National soccer championships on Monday, scoring four second half goals to defeat Owens CC 4-0. As a result Monroe gained three points in their pool and has a chance to qualify for Friday night’s semifinal with a win over #7 Pima at 4:00pm on Wednesday. The nationals are being played at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, FL.
After a scoreless first-half the Mustangs came on in the second half like a downpour, much like the Florida weather that marred much of the game, even causing a 10-minute storm delay in the first half.
In the 49th minute, sophomore Samantha Mendez, who hails from Florida, placed a corner kick into the box and an Owens player inadvertently headed it in the net. The ‘own’ goal was just the beginning for Monroe.
In the 59th minute freshman Gabriela Maidana notched a gorgeous line drive tally and then in the space of the next eight minutes, captain Melanie Formosa and freshman Nicole Rivera scored goals and the Monroe win was secured.
The Mustangs are now 16-1 on the season.