NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Monroe College men’s soccer team, sporting a lot of new faces in the 2016 starting lineup, got off to an auspicious start on Sunday with a 3-1 victory over Lewis & Clark Community College in Baltimore. The Mustangs, who ranked #15 in the preseason polls, started just one returning player from last season, team captain Evan Finnegan.
The game was a feeling-out process early on, as both sides battled for possession but neither team created scoring chances. Monroe broke through in the ninth minute off a goal from Filipe Hideki, one of this year’s prized newcomers. The score remained at 1-0 into the second half.
The Trailblazers evened the score at 1-1 with a marker in the 51st minute. From there, the Mustangs answered with a pair of unanswered goals. Ignacio Estradas, another neophyte from Spain, found the back of the net shortly past the hour mark, and Monroe regained the lead. A much needed insurance goal came when Lucas Vaz connected with Estradas just ten minutes shy of time, capping the scoring and giving the Mustangs a 3-1 victory.
In the win, the Monroe defense limited Lewis & Clark to the lone shot on goal. Monroe managed five themselves, including one contributed by Benjamin Mardones.
The Monroe College men’s soccer team returns to action on Sunday, August 28th against CCBC Essex, currently ranked at #19, at 2:00 PM.