SELDEN, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 7 Monroe University – Bronx men's soccer team closed out the Region 15 regular season by earning a hard-fought 1-1 tie against Suffolk County Community College, at Ammerman Campus Soccer Field, on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Express clinch the No. 3 seed (9-3-2, 8-2-2 Region 15) in the upcoming Region 15 Championships. They will have a rematch with sixth-seeded Suffolk County (7-3-4, 7-3-2 Region 15) in the opening round of the Region 15 Championships next Saturday afternoon, October 26. The time and location of the regional playoff match will be announced soon.
 
Both teams exchanged quality scoring chances in the opening half but could not find the back of the net.
 
During the 58^th minute, Monroe earned a free kick opportunity off the top of the box. Freshman midfielder Xcaret Gonzalez lined the ball towards the net. After a scramble deep in the box, rookie midfielder Fabricio Zelaya gathered the ball and drilled it into the back of the cage for the ice-breaking goal which gave Monroe a 1-0 advantage. Gonzalez was credited with the assist on the tally.
 
The Express had an opportunity to extend their lead but a shot by Gonzalez was denied by Sharks' freshman netminder Hamad Farooq. Over three minutes later, freshman midfielder Mustafa Abdulkarim had a chance to extend the Express' advantage, but Farooq made another timely save.
 
In the 68^th minute, Suffolk County answered as freshman Ronan Montana dribbled the ball down the field and launched the ball from 25 yards out on the left wing. The ball sailed past the diving arms of Monroe's freshman goalkeeper Dwayne Brown's and into the back of the net to even the contest at a goal apiece with 22:50 left to play.
 
The Express had the better of the chances in the late stages of the game. Their best opportunity came with 3:14 remaining as freshman defender Jonathan Lima lined a shot that went past the opposing goalkeeper and headed towards the net. However, a Suffolk County defender was able to block the ball with his chest to prevent Monroe from scoring the go-ahead goal. 
 
The Express kept the pressure on during the closing minutes of the match but could not score the tie-breaking goal. The contest ended in a 1-1 tie.
 
For the afternoon, Monroe outshot Suffolk County, 17-6, including an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Blue and Gold had the edge in corner kicks, 3-2.
 
In net, Brown made three saves for Monroe. Farooq turned aside six shots for Suffolk County.
 
Monroe – Bronx will close out the regular season with a non-region match against Five Towns College. The action at Five Towns Soccer Field is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. 
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University 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 University 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).