NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's soccer team fell on the short end of a 3-0 score to nationally ranked No. 6 Suffolk County Community College, in Region 15 action at Flowers Park Soccer Field, on Thursday, September 21.
 
The Express (1-3-1, 1-3-1 Region 15) gave up two goals in the opening half but only surrendered one more tally to a potent Sharks (9-1-0, 4-1-0 Region 15) attack during the final 45 minutes of the contest.

Leading the way for Monroe – Bronx was rookie goalkeeper Krit Raj Maharjan who made a career-high 11 saves.
 
The Sharks' first strike came just under 10 minutes into the contest. Sophomore forward Jonathan Mejia tipped the ball into the net from deep inside the box to put Suffolk County on the board.  Second-year defender Ryan Rush and sophomore midfielder Jeferson Poma were credited with the assists on the play. 
 
Over 22 minutes later, freshman midfielder Mario Salguero launched a shot for the Sharks but was denied by Maharjan. However, sophomore midfielder Kaanturk Akgul collected the rebound and lined the ball into the back of the cage for his 12th goal of the season which extended the visiting team's lead to 2-0 with 12:31 to go until the half.
 
That would be the score after 45 minutes of play.
 
Monroe's defense improved in the second half, blocking two shots by the opposition and giving up just one goal during the final stanza. That one goal in the second period was scored by Akgul, for his 13th of the season, and extending the Sharks' benefit to 3-0 with 32:41 left to play. That would end up being the final score. 
 
For the afternoon, Suffolk County outshot Monroe – Bronx, 33-2, and took all 11 corner kicks in the match.  
 
Sophomore defender James Gallagher produced a shot on goal for the Express, while classmate Joel David had a shot of his own.
 
In net for Suffolk County, second-year goalkeeper Chris Ascencio made a save to earn the shutout victory.
 
Monroe – Bronx will return to Flowers Park Soccer Field this Saturday, September 23, for a Region 15 matchup against Queensborough Community College. The action will begin 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 www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).