Monmouth Hawks Win 2014 MAAC Men's Soccer Championship
MAAC Sports
HAMDEN, CONN. – The No. 4 seed Monmouth University defeated the No. 6 seed Fairfield University 2-1 in double overtime to claim the 2014 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championship at Quinnipiac Field on the campus of Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut today.
With the victory, Monmouth University earns the MAAC's automatic bid to the 2014 NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship. The Hawks will learn where they will be headed in the NCAA tournament when the field is announced on the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Selection Show, which will air on NCAA.com on Monday, November 17 at 1 p.m.
Two defensive minded squads matched up in the championship final. In the first half, both teams controlled even possession through the first 45 minutes. The back and forth play led to offensive chances. Monmouth was able to create opportunities, taking six shots with Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang and Dave Nigro both placing two on goal. Fairfield’s Jordan Ayris and Angus Hastings were each able to put a shot on goal, with the team taking four shots in the half. Both Fairfield’s Matt Turner and Monmouth’s Eric Klenofsky each made two saves in the first period to keep the game scoreless. The first half ended with a 0-0 tie.
The second half would bring more physical and aggressive play. Outcomes would remain the same for the first 25 minutes of play. In the 71st minute Fairfield’s senior forward Jordan Ayris would make his way down the center of the field and create an opening where he fired an unassisted strike past the Hawks keeper to open up the scoring, giving the Stags a 1-0 lead. Monmouth began their aggressive attack in attempt to even up the game at one score a piece. The Hawks were able to put a shot on goal moments later, which the Stags’ Turner was able to deflect off the post on a diving save to keep the lead. In the 80th minute, Monmouth came down field and was fouled inside the box. Fairfield freshman defender Angus Hastings received a red card for the foul giving senior defender Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang a penalty kick opportunity. Agyemang would convert inside the far right post to tie the game 1-1. The game would be forced into overtime. At the end of regulation, Monmouth outshot Fairfield 15-7. The Hawks were able to put five shots on goal in the second half to Fairfield’s one.
After one scoreless overtime period, the match was decided with 6:29 left in double overtime. A Monmouth cross came in front of the Stags’ net which was punched away by Turner. The ball found Dave Nigro who settled the one hopper and took a shot that bent into the bottom right corner to win the game for the Hawks. The goal would give Monmouth University their first MAAC title in the programs first two years in the conference.
Monmouth improved to 11-3-6, and added Derek Luke, Matt Jeffery and Dave Nigro to the All-Tournament team in addition to MVP Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang.
Fairfield’s year came to an end with a 8-5-7 record. The team placed Jordan Ayris, Matt Turner and Ben Wignall on the All-Tournament team.
2014 MAAC MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
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MVP – Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang
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Monmouth
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Derek Luke
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Monmouth
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Matt Jeffery
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Monmouth
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Dave Nigro
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Monmouth
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Jordan Ayris
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Fairfield
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Matt Turner
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Fairfield
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Ben Wignall
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Fairfield
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Michael Holzer
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Iona
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Ignacio Maganto
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Iona
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Borja Angoitia
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Quinnipiac
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Tobias Esche
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Quinnipiac
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