NEW ROCHELLE, NY –For the first time this season, the Monroe College men’s soccer team showed why it was deserving of the #1 ranking it earned in the latest national coaches poll, as it used a strong all-around effort to earn a hard fought, come from behind, 3-1 over Harcum College in a men’s soccer game played at City Field on Tuesday. The remained unbeaten and is now 4-0-1 on the season.
It was an inauspicious start for Monroe in the first few minutes of play, as they had trouble maintaining possession early. The Bears scored early on when their midfielder played a cross from the right flank into the box where starting goalie, Joe Green, was beaten for a goal. Green did make three saves to earn his second win of the season.
Harcum held the 1-0 lead, but the Mustangs started to create chances using their speed and individual ball skills. The score would be leveled in the 35th minute when Mamadou Balde played a ball to Kalifa Sylla, who put it past the keeper and inside the far post for the equalizer. The game went into hafltime even at 1-1.
The Mustangs took the lead at the 53:13 mark of the second half when Niall Smith pressued a Harcum defender and stole the ball. He then put the ball on to the far post and Jaime Hinchcliffe tapped it in for the game-winner. Monroe led 2-1.
Monroe got an important insurance goal in the 89th minute. On a restart following a Harcum foul and just outside the 18-yard box, Jorge Paez blasted a shot into the upper right corner of the net for a goal. The Mustangs went on to win 3-1. Evan Finnegan took three shots, while Jordan Kinoshi attempted a pair.Andreas Time and Veux Mane each tried a shot as well.
The Monroe College men’s soccer team returns to the pitch on Saturday, September 19, when they host Massassoit at 7:00 PM.
