Oct. 2, 2007

Box Score

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ - Powerful Monmouth got on the board just 1:40 into the game and went on to defeat visiting NJIT, 3-0, in men's soccer Tuesday afternoon.

Monmouth, the defending Northeast Conference champion and a 2006 NCAA Division I College Cup qualifier, didn't waste any time taking control on Tuesday, netting two goals in the first 10 minutes.

The result lifts Monmouth to 5-2-2 with six shutouts in 2007.

The Hawks scored on the first shot of the match, as Chase Barbieri scored off an assist by Chris Riordan. Barbieri's goal was one-touch play off of a cross into the box from the left flank end line by Riordan.

Monmouth grabbed a 2-0 lead at the 9:26 mark on the fourth goal of the season for Damon Wilson, assisted by Angelo Amato, whose pass from just inside midfield found the streaking Wilson at the top of the box.

Angelo Amato is the older brother of NJIT freshman Pat Amato, who played as a substitute for the Highlanders against Monmouth.

The score was unchanged until 76:27, when Monmouth's Tom Gray gathered a loose ball from a clearing attempt by the NJIT defense and sent the ball into the net for his fifth goal of the season.

Gray, an all-region and all-conference player in 2006, is on the official watch list for the 2007 Hermann Trophy, which will be awarded to the national Player of the Year.

Both starting goalkeepers went the distance, as Monmouth's Bryan Meredith picked up the shutout. NJIT's Collin Cunning made four saves, including three in the second half.

Sophomores Devon Newton and Marco Gaspar had shots for the Highlanders.

The Highlanders are off until Saturday at 2 pm, when they will host Saint Joseph's (PA) at 2 pm on Lubetkin Field.

The match with Saint Joe's is part of annual NJIT Day festivities and the Highlanders will have their annual men's soccer Alumni Day on Friday at 6 pm on Lubetkin Field.

(goal descriptions courtesy of Monmouth Sports Information)