This season ended a little different for the men’s soccer team after making it to the CAA Championship last year.
Last season the Hawks faced Elon in the CAA Semi finals and advanced to the championship after winning 4-2 in penalty kicks.
The Hawks went on to face Hofstra in the CAA Championship; it was their first CAA Championship in just their second year in the league. The game was 1-1 at the end of regulation, but it was Hofstra that took a free kick in overtime and sent the ball into the back of the net, handing Monmouth the loss, 1-2.
This season, Monmouth finished their regular season seeded in third and went on to face No. 6 UNCW on Nov. 7 in the first round of the CAA Tournament. Monmouth was unable to get past the first round, losing in penalty kicks.
Both Monmouth and UNCW had chances to get on the board in the first half, but efforts from Monmouth goalkeeper Eryk Dymora and UNCW goalkeeper Trey Smiley prevented either team from finding the back of the net.
It was the Hawks who broke through early in the second half off of a free kick
from midfielder Erik Reis. Monmouth continued to look for shots but were unable to capitalize on any.
UNCW tied the game at 80:12, 1-1 and it stayed that way until the end of regulation.
Monmouth nor UNCW grew their lead during overtime and it was penalty kicks that were to determine who moved on.
UNCW substitute goalkeeper stepped into goal for penalty kicks after not playing the opening 110 minutes. Reis, defender Olle Brorsson, Dymora, and forward Victor Andersson were all able to put their penalty kicks into goal, however UNCW’s Caleb Powell broke a 4-4 tie in penalty kicks and Bennett was able to prevent Monmouth’s last chance from going in. Bennett finished with three shots saved in penalties.
