NEW ROCHELLE, NY — An own goal was the difference maker in an incredible defensive matchup on Thursday at City Park, as the No. 2-ranked Monroe College men’s soccer team defeated No. 4 Eastern Florida State College by a score of 1-0 in a highly-anticipated battle of Top-5 opponents. The Mustangs remain perfect on the year and go to 5-0, while the Titans suffer their first setback to fall to 3-1.
In the 76th minute of a scoreless game, the Mustangs pressured the Titans in front of Eastern Florida’s net. Javier Rodriguez tried to find Antonio Sanchez right in the center of the box, but instead, the ball deflected off of a Titan defender, off the leg of another defender, and past the keeper to the left of the net for the only goal of the game.
In the 21st minute of the game, Eastern Florida’s Danilo Orsi Dadomo seemed to have an open lane right in front of the net with only the keeper to beat. Out of nowhere, Osman Fofanah came flying in front the left side, sliding in at the last second to kick the ball away and save the Mustangs from potentially falling behind in the first half.
Sophomore goalkeeper Svyat Kozak improves to 3-0 on the year after recording his second straight shutout. He made a pair of saves in the win. Eastern Florida keeper Bryce Notardonato stopped five shots but gave up the only goal to shoulder his first loss of the season.
The Mustangs will look to keep their hot streak going on Thursday, Sept. 14, when they hit the road to visit Harford Community College in Bel Air, Md.