WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Saint Joseph's men's soccer team fell on the road to Monmouth on Tuesday evening, an early second half penalty giving the hosts a 1-0 victory over SJU in midweek action.
The loss is the first of St. Joe's road campaign this year, moving to 2-5-1 on the season. Monmouth advances to 3-1-3 on the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both sides conjured up just one shot on goal over the first 15 minutes, neither threatening the goalkeeper. Trevor Jackson comfortably collected a strike from Monmouth's leading scorer Ben Zakowski before Blake Driehuis headed safely into the arms of Monmouth's Eryk Dymora.
- Despite a 10-3 edge in shots in the first half in favor of Monmouth, neither side threatened the goal the rest of the half as both sides entered the break tied at 0-0.
- The hosts took no time getting on the board in the opening moments of the second half, the ref pointing to the penalty spot after what he deemed to be a handball by a Hawk inside the box. Zakowski slotted it straight down the net as a diving Jackson could do nothing but watch the strike hit the back netting as Monmouth took the lead.
- Driehuis almost responded as the junior was left with acres of space to take on a shot with his favored left foot in the 56th minute, his strike matched by a parry from the goalkeeper before diving on the rebound to keep St. Joe's off the board.
- A reaction save from Jackson kept Monmouth from doubling the tally ad a quick lashing attempt from 15 yards curled away from Jackson heading to the near top corner. The Texas native was able to save at full stretch, pushing away the attempt for a corner.
- A sloppy giveaway from the hosts saw Driehuis pickpocket a Monmouth defender in his own box. Taking a look at goal, Driehuis curled his effort past the goalkeeper but the ball slammed into the crossbar and down but not before crossing the goal line as Monmouth cleared away.
- Late attempts from Jan Golinski and Bart Kooistra were to no avail as St. Joe's would drop its first road contest of the season in a 1-0 defeat.
QUICK NOTES
- Driehuis and Kooistra combined for six shots in the defeat.
- Trevor Jackson made five saves on the night, the lone blemish on his sheet coming from the penalty.
- The Hawks fail to score for the first time in four games.
- St. Joe's was outshot by Monmouth 19-10 on the evening, a 6-2 margin in shots on goal.
- SJU tallied eight corner kicks to Monmouth's five.
- The series record dating back to 1984 is now tied at 7-7-1.
UP NEXT
St. Joe's returns to Atlantic 10 action when they host Dayton on Sweeney Field on Saturday, September 23. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.
