BROOKLYN – The nationally ranked No. 7 Monroe University – Bronx men's soccer team suffered a narrow 3-2 defeat to Borough of Manhattan Community College on Monday afternoon at Kingsborough Field. The Express fell to 8-4-1 overall and 8-2-0 in Region 15 play. The Panthers (8-2-2 both overall and in the region) move up to second place in the regional standings with 26 points, while the Express drop to third place with 24 points.
The match was scoreless for the first 43 minutes but then three goals were scored in the final two minutes of the opening period.
After Omar Sanyang of BMCC opened the scoring in the 43rd minute (assisted by Doro Niang), Monroe responded with two goals in a span of 50 seconds to take a 2-1 halftime lead. Cheikh Toure leveled the match in the 44th minute off an assist from Rolensky Marc before scoring again just 50 seconds later. Toure's second goal came off a sequence assisted by Robert Arias and Brandon Loyola that started with Loyola's free kick from the right wing and then Arias headed the ball from inside the box to Toure who lined it into the net. Toure now has eight goals and 19 points this year.
The Panthers equalized in the 63rd minute when Ibrahima Sylla finished a pass from Sanyang, setting up a tense second half. Despite Monroe generating 11 shots after halftime, the Express could not find a go-ahead goal.
BMCC's Sanyang struck again in the 88th minute, finishing a pass from Gabriel Querevalu to give the Panthers the late lead and eventual 3-2 victory.
Monroe finished with a 17-10 advantage in total shots and earned three corner kicks to BMCC's one. Kimany Arzu made three saves for the Express. Juan Moreno stopped three shots for Manhattan to earn the win between the posts. The Express put five shots on goal.
Toure led Monroe with both goals, while Marc, Arias, and Loyola contributed to the scoring plays.
The Express return to action Tuesday, October 13th against Dutchess Community College. The regional match will be held at Flowers Park Soccer Field, beginning at 3 p.m. It is sophomore day and Monroe University – Bronx will honor its nine second-year players with a ceremony at 2:45 p.m.
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