GARDEN CITY, N.Y., October 2, 2018 – Ryan Smart tallied two goals, but Monroe Express men's soccer fell to No. 3 Nassau Community College, 3-2, on Thursday, as the Lions scored in the 89th minute to eke out the victory.
 
Smart gave the Express a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute, finding the back of the net for the fourth time this season off an assist from Mamadou Diombera.
 
And with Mustapha Ceesay and the Express defense holding Nassau to just four shots in the first half, Monroe headed into halftime up by a goal.
 
But less than five minutes into the second half, the Lions tied the game and took the lead, as Jean Paul Rodriguez knocked in the equalizer, before Robert Anastasio gave Nassau a 2-1 lead.
 
Smart tied the game back up a two with his fifth goal of the year in the 68th minute, and with just over five minutes to play, it looked like the Lions and Express would head to overtime.
 
But Jasson Cruz's header found the back of the net in the 89th, and Nassau escaped with the 3-2 victory over the Express.
 
With the loss, Monroe drops to 4-2 (4-1 Region XV) on the season, while the Lions remain undefeated in region play, 10-1 overall on the season.
 
Smart led the way for the Express with his two goals, while Diombera added two shots and an assist. Neither team had a whole lot of chances, with Nassau outshooting the Express, 10-8.
 
The Express will look to get back on track when they return home to take on Dutchess Community College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6 at SUNY Purchase in Purchase, N.Y.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of Monroe's Bronx campus has six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning with their inaugural seasons in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter (@MonroeExpress) and Instagram (@MonroeExpress).