MU soccer teams ready for runs at NEC title
BY DOUG McKENZIE Staff Writer
The Monmouth men's soccer team is unquestionably the team to beat in this season's NEC tournament. The Hawks cemented their status as the top seed with a 2-0 win over Quinnipiac on the Great Lawn on Sunday, improving to 15-1-1 on the year (including 7-1-1 in conference play), and capturing a single-season program record 15th consecutive triumph in the process.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Monmouth University's Cody Calaflore is held by Central Connecticut State's Mersad Sahanic during a home game against Central Connecticut State University at Monmouth on Oct. 30. Monmouth University's R.J. Allen moves the ball against a defender. Monmouth University's George Calella beats Central Connecticut State's Aaron Durr to a loose ball.

"This is a big win for the program today," said MU head coach Robert McCourt.

"It's to finally play at home in front of our fans and I thought we got solid performances from all the guys today." Sophomore R.J. Allen (of Old Bridge) netted both MU goals on Sunday. The first came in the 18th minute, when the defender worked a beautiful giveand go with junior Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn.) and beat Quinnipiac keeper Frederick Hill near post. The second goal came in the 53rd minute, when Allen again beat Hill, this time on a free kick from 25 yards out.

"It's a great feeling to get a couple of goals," said Allen. "Kinne made a great play laying the ball off to me, and on the free kick I just tried to put it on target and it went through everyone. Today was a great win, but there is one more to go in the regular season."

Monmouth, ranked No. 14 nationally, will play its regular season finale on Friday when it hosts Mt. Saint Mary's at 3 p.m. The Hawks will then turn their attention to the NEC Tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on Nov. 13 in West Long Branch, with the two semifinal contests. The final will be played on Nov. 15, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Tournament, which begins on Nov. 19. While the Monmouth men will enjoy the home-field advantage in tournament play, the MU women's team will be traveling to New Britain, Connecticut on Friday to face third-seeded Quinnipiac (8-6-2, 7-2-1) in the second NEC Tournament semifinal.

Top-seeded and host Central Connecticut State University (11-6-2, 9-0-1) will face No. 4 seed Long Island (9-7-1, 5-4-1) at 11 a.m. The Hawks locked up the second seed with an impressive 6-0 win at Fairleigh Dickinson on Sunday to finish the regular season at 13-4-1 (8-1-1 in league play).

Junior Mary Wilks (two goals and one assist) and sophomore Courtney Snyder (three assists) combined for eight points to lead the way, while senior Andrea Lopez, sophomore Jennie Vartebedian, senior Shannon Rogers and freshman Amber Agostinelli also added goals. Lopez's goal was the 30th of her illustrious career, while Wilks, who has now scored six goals in the last three matches, now has 44 career points and has recorded career-bests in goals (11) and assists (5) this season.

Junior goalkeeper Lia Fierro made five saves en route to her 12th shutout of the season, and the 27th of her career.

"This was a terrific way to end the regular season," said head coach Krissy Turner, who has guided the Hawks to 10 overall NEC Tournaments and four straight postseason appearances. "We received contributions from the entire team, which is a fitting way to enter the NEC's."

Monmouth University's R.J. Allen fights off a defender during a home game against Central Connecticut State University on Oct. 30.

Monmouth will need similar play if they are to capture the NEC crown this weekend. The Hawks defeated Quinnipiac, 4-1, on Oct. 25, but has not faced the Bobcats in the postseason since back-to-back contests in 1999 and 2000, both won by QU.

The winners of the two semifinal affairs will meet on Sunday at a time TBA, with the winner advancing to the NCAA Tournament, with first-round games scheduled for Nov. 13 and 15.