On Nov. 7, the Monmouth University men’s soccer team beat second-seeded Saint Peter’s 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the MAAC Tournament all thanks to Julian Gomez.
The Hawks (8-8-2) outshot the Peacocks (8-9-1) 14-5 and never allowed a single shot on goal. Saint Peter’s goalkeeper made five stops keeping Monmouth off the board until late in the game. In the closing moments of the game, junior forward, Julian Gomez who made the 2020-21 All-MAAC Team, saved the day as he scored his team-best sixth goal.
Besides Gomez, Ben Zakowski was a standout player throughout the game. Zakowski earned 2020-21 All-MAAC Team and made the 2020-21 United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region. The junior sophomore led the Hawks in shots with five and three coming on goal. Redshirt senior Sean Murray also made a significant impact. Murray, who earned 2020-21 MAAC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year and made the 2020-21 All-MAAC Team, earned his seventh shutout of the season and picked up his eighth win of the year.
Overall, in Monmouth’s wicked defeat, the boys in blue and white held the edge in corners, 6-4 and improved their all-time record against the Peacocks to 17-7-1. The Hawks have been facing Saint Peter’s since 1987 having played 28 games against them and their away record being 7-5-1. Monmouth has also scored a total of 51 goals against the peacocks.
In addition to their immense win, five Hawks from the men’s soccer team earned All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference honors on Monday. The players were George Akampeke, Jonas Lindner, Luke McBeth, Sean Murray, and Robin Oswald.
Akampeken received First Team All-MAAC recognition. This comes after his earning of the MAAC Defensive Player of the Year this past spring. Lindner was also a key player this past season after playing in 16 games and logging in the fourth most minutes on the team.
As for Murray, he was a staple on this team and started in all 17 teams and logged a MAAC-best of six shutouts. Oswald not only played but started in 15 games during his senior year and his playing helped Monmouth shutout their opponents six times over the course of the regular season. Nine Hawks also earned MAAC All-Academic Team Recognition.
Looking ahead, the Hawks will face Marist in Poughkeepsie, New York in the semifinal round matchup with kickoff at 7 p.m.
