UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's soccer team suffered a hard-fought loss to nationally ranked No. 4 Nassau Community College, 3-1, at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Thursday afternoon, October 5.
 
The Express (3-4-1, 3-4-1 Region 15) had a strong effort on defense, as they limited a potent Lions' attack to just three goals for the afternoon. Coming into the contest, Nassau (10-0-2, 7-0-1 Region 15) was averaging 6.63 goals per match and scored in double digits in each of the last two games.
 
The Lions scored the first two goals of the day during the opening half. Monroe – Bronx got on the board during the 58th minute, as sophomore defender Lorenz Utz took a penalty kick opportunity and launched the ball inside the upper part of the net to slice the Express' deficit in half, at 2-1, with 32:16 left in the contest. Utz now has six goals so far this season. It was the first  goal Nassau has allowed since September 16, ending its four-match shutout streak. 
 
The home team answered just over three minutes later, as sophomore midfielder Silas Stewart-Caws took a feed from freshman midfielder Chrystian Hernandez and lined the ball into the net from the center position, outside of the box, to allow Nassau to regain its two-goal cushion. That would end up being the final score.
 
In addition to Monroe's diligent defensive play, freshman goalkeeper Krit Raj Maharjan made 11 saves to help keep Monroe – Bronx in the match against one of the top teams in the country.
 
For the afternoon, Nassau had the advantage in shots, 31-11, and took all 14 corner kick opportunities in the match.
 
For the Lions, rookie midfielder Matteo Kanakaris scored the opening goal of the day, during the 28th minute. With 4:06 left to play in the first half, freshman forward Marc Augustin received the ball from classmate Lorenzo Cali and found the back of the cage for the official match-winner and his 19th goal of the season. 
 
In net, first-year goalkeeper Kenny Chamo made four saves to earn the victory between the posts for Nassau. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will continue its push for the Region 15 Postseason on Sunday, October 8, with another road game against a nationally ranked regional opponent. This time, the Express will duel with No. 8 Ulster County Community College, at Rondout Valley Soccer Field, beginning at 4:00 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 www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).