NEW ROCHELLE, NY — This season has been a triumphant one for the Monroe College Men’s Soccer team. This is especially true for the team’s returning sophomores, who fell just short of the National Tournament last year after a late-season loss to ASA College. Their determination to succeed has been evident throughout the team’s undefeated season and Region XV Championship win, and was shown clearly on Wednesday, when they were instrumental in Monroe’s 4-0 win over Daytona State College at the National Tournament. As a result, the team will play against Ancilla College in the semifinal round on Friday.
Freshman goalie Svyat Kozak was challenged early and often by the Daytona State attack. The Norwalk, Connecticut product proved that he was up to the challenge, turning aside seven shots en route to earning the clean sheet victory.
Monroe got on the board in the 33rd minute, when freshman Jamal Manley West went on a run and beat the keeper for the game’s first goal. The score remained at 1-0 into halftime.
The Mustangs took a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute, when Luiz Soupinski found team captain Evan Finnegan for the goal. It was Finnegan’s fourth goal in two games at the NJCAA Championship. Ignacio Goya earned an unassisted marker in the 84th minute, and the game was put away when Jorge Paez connected with Andreas Time on a goal in the 88th minute. Monroe won 4-0.
Sophomores Finnegan, Paez, and Time all got on the scoring action for Monroe. Their classmate, Veux Mane, also saw action in the game.
The team improved to 18-0 with the victory, outscoring its opponents 104-7 this season. The Mustangs will return to action on Friday, November 18th, against Ancilla College.