Sometimes things are worth the wait. This statement proves to be true in the men’s soccer team match against Farleigh Dickinson on Friday.
Monmouth immediately attempted to overcome their opponent early on in the game by keeping the ball on FDU’s side on the midfield. It was clearly seen that this early pressure began to intimidate FDU as they had six fouls by the 30 minute mark of the first half.
Although Monmouth attacked viciously early, FDU did not hesitate to retaliate. For most of the game, the teams were evenly matched in skill level.
Three minutes into the second half, senior midfielder Max Hamilton received a yellow card, but besides that, the second half resembled the first half: shot after shot but no net found. The Hawks were applying every tactic against FDU’s players. They were crossing the ball, used headers, and even did some brief moves but it was not enough.
At the end of the second half, the score was still tied sending the game into overtime. Overtime consists of 10 minute periods in soccer and the winner is determined by sudden death. The first overtime period was completely dominated by FDU who only allowed Monmouth to take two shots.
Meanwhile, Farleigh Dickson took three shots, two corners, and received a yellow card with two minutes left in the period.
However, when the buzzer sounded to end the first overtime period, the score remained 00. The second overtime period began and Monmouth dominated this time with two shots and a corner kick while FDU had nothing to show.
Four minutes into the second overtime, sophomore midfielder Joseph Schmid single handily placed the ball perfectly behind FDU’s goalie to make the score 10 recording the team’s 8th shutout. “It was a good moment for the team,” Coach McCourt says about Schmid’s goal, “Wining the game in overtime at FDU was a big moment for sure.” At the end of play, Monmouth had taken 23 shots and Farleigh Dickinson had 13 shots.
MU goalie Alex Blackburn recorded four saves for the game. The Hawks only had two offside calls made against them in the complete regulation period.
Traveling to Fairfield, Connecticut the Hawks prepared to face a 742 Sacred Heart team. The men did not fare as well and ended up losing a hard fought 10 decision. The loss dropped Monmouth’s record to 95 for the season.
The Hawks took over the opening 10 minutes of play in the first half but lost control making way for Sacred Heart to seize the game. At the end of the first half, Monmouth had six shots on goal and one corner kick. Sacred Heart also had six shots, three corner kicks, a yellow card, and seven fouls. Monmouth’s special talent is they hardly ever foul. This is partially due to Coach McCourt’s shouting “don’t foul, don’t foul” throughout play.
During the second half, neither team had complete control over the other but Sacred Heart managed to score the only goal of the game.
“We had a goal called back that we were disappointed in and we are also dealing with a lot of injuries. I thought the guys performed well and we just have to roll up our sleeves and focus on the next game now,” said McCourt.
With that said, the men plan to face Quinnipiac on Friday at home, where they will be looking to pick up a key conference victory.
PHOTO COURTESY of Monmouth University Athletics
