BROOKLYN – The Monroe College – Bronx men's soccer team pulled out a big victory on the road over Region 15 rival Kingsborough Community College, 2-1, at Kingsborough Athletics Field on Tuesday afternoon, October 10.
It was an impressive win for the Express (4-5-1, 4-5-1 Region 15) as Kingsborough (9-3-1, 7-3-1 Region 15) is currently receiving votes in the NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Rankings. It is also a big triumph for the Express as they are now just outside of a Region 15 playoff spot with two matches left to play.
The contest was deadlocked at one goal apiece until sophomore defender
Lorenz Utz received the ball off a free kick by classmate
James Gallagher and slipped the ball into the back of the cage to give Monroe the 2-1 lead with 9:02 remaining in the match. That goal ended up being the official match winner.
"I am very proud of the team," Utz said. "This is a big step towards making the playoffs."
Both teams exchanged quality chances during the opening 45 minutes, but neither team could cash in. The two teams were scoreless after the opening half.
The Express came out and broke the ice just a minute into the second period as sophomore midfielder
Joel David headed the ball into the net, from deep inside the box, off a free kick by Gallagher to give the Blue and Gold a 1-0 advantage.
The Wave countered during the 63rd minute as sophomore Keithlend Cesar lined the ball from 25 yards out on the left wing and the ball went just inside the right side of the cross bar to even the match at 1-1. It was Cesar's ninth goal of the year.
The Wave had a golden opportunity to take the lead during the 69th minute as sophomore Joseph Pierre lined a shot that was stopped by Monroe – Bronx freshman goalkeeper
Krit Raj Maharjan. However, the ball landed alone right in front of a wide-open net. Cesar was about to kick it in, but out of nowhere came Utz who slid and wedged the ball out of bounds before Cesar could drive it in, keeping the match tied at one goal apiece.
With less than 10 minutes remaining in the contest, Gallagher launched a free kick from about 25 yards out. The ball bounced to Utz, deep inside the box, and he lifted it into the back of the cage to allow the Express to regain a one-goal lead, at 2-1, with 9:02 remaining in the match. It was Utz's seventh goal of the season and Gallagher's second helper of the contest.
"That was a big goal by Utz," Gallagher said. "We really needed that goal."
The Wave dominated possession for the remainder of the contest, as Kingsborough launched five shots during the final 6:16 of play, but four were off target. The one chance that was on net was taken by freshman Kayia Requena but was denied by Maharjan with 2:50 remaining in the contest. Monroe – Bronx was able to stave off Kingsborough's attack during the closing minutes of the contest to earn the key Region 15 win, 2-1.
"This was a big victory for us," Monroe Express Men's Soccer Head Coach
Jose Hernandez said. "Prior to the match, we talked as a team about how this could be the most important match of the season with everything that was on the line. It's a big win and now we must win two more to have a chance to get into the playoffs."
For the afternoon, Maharjan made seven saves to help lead his team to the victory. His counterpart, freshman Giovanni Yanez Carreno, stopped five shots for the Wave.
Kingsborough had the advantage in shots, 19-14, while each team took five corner kicks.
Monroe – Bronx will host LaGuardia Community College, in Region 15 action, on the campus of Westchester Community College on Saturday, October 14. The action begins at 1:00 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at
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