BRONX – The Monroe University – Bronx men's soccer team earned its second Region 15 victory in a row on Tuesday afternoon, defeating local rival Bronx Community College by a score of 5-2 at Ohio Field. The Express (2-2, 2-1 Region 15) have now won two of their last three contests overall.

Mamadou Top had a big outing for the Express, nailing two goals during the afternoon, including the official match-winning tally on a penalty kick during the 56^th minute. Jason Chunchi registered a goal and two assists.

"Very happy for the win," Express Head Coach Jose Hernandez said. "Boys played very well and kept creating a lot of chances."

Monroe had the advantage in shots during the afternoon, 23-11, including a 10-6 edge in shots that were on target. Bronx won the battle of corner kicks, 4-2. 

"I still believe we have to improve in the attacking third and finalizing the chances we create," Hernandez said. 

The Express came out strong right from the start of the match as Brando Tuba shot the ball that was stopped by the opposing goalkeeper and then he tipped in his own rebound, less than two minutes in, to give the Blue and Gold a 1-0 benefit. In the 19^th minute, Chunchi sprinted the ball down the field and fed the ball to Naim Bakere who poked it in the back of the net from deep inside the box to extend Monroe's advantage to 2-0. 

The Broncos (1-3, 1-3 Region 15) were stifled by the Express' defense throughout the first half as they had minimal opportunities to get on the scoreboard.

Bronx did break through in the early stages of the second half as Abdul Mohammed shot the ball that was denied by Kimany Arzu but then he lined it in off his own rebound to slice Monroe's lead in half, at 2-1, with 40:40 left in the contest.

Just over six minutes later, the Express drew a foul inside the box and were awarded with a penalty kick. Top took advantage of the opportunity by launching the ball past the diving opposing goalkeeper and into the back of the net to give the Express their second two-goal advantage of the afternoon.

During the 74^th minute, Bronx committed another foul in the box. This time, Chunchi took the penalty kick and buried the ball into the net for his second of the season, which padded the Blue and Gold's cushion to 4-1.

Less than 30 seconds later, the Express executed crisp passing inside the box concluded by Chunchi finding Top who rifled the ball into the net for his second goal of the contest and Chunchi's second helper of the day. That made the score 5-1 in favor of the Express.

Bronx was able to get one back thanks to Mohammed's second tally of the outing during the 81^st minute, but it was not enough for the Broncos as the Express pulled off the 5-2 Region 15 road victory.

In net for Monroe, Arzu made four saves and picked up his first collegiate victory. 

The Express will return home on Saturday for a Region 15 clash against Queensborough Community College. The action at Flowers Park will begin at 1 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).