Boxscore

Photo courtesy of Mark Campbell

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The University of Delaware men’s soccer team held host Monmouth University scoreless in the second half, but the Hawks netted three goals in the first period of play to defeat the Blue Hens, 3-0, at The Great Lawn on Friday afternoon

Ranked 24th nationally, Monmouth (4-0-0) remained undefeated with the win over the Hens (1-3-0).

Monmouth got on the board early, scoring back-to-back goals in the 11th and 14th minutes, respectively, before recording the third and final goal of the game, at 34:19.

Delaware keeper Conrad Rusnak (at right) kept the contest at 3-0 when he made an impressive foot save in the 36th minute.

The Blue Hens' best chance for a score came with 15 minutes left in the match when sophomore transfer Kyle Ellis laced a shot from 20 yards out that went wide left. Then, with 2:30 left in the contest, junior Ben Rodkey played the ball in to the box for UD, but junior Demar Stephenson's header skimmed off the far post.

“Today was a much deserved win for Monmouth, they showed why they are undefeated and ranked in the top 25,” said fourth-year head coach Ian Hennessy. “We never competed with them from the onset, but hopefully we can recover for our home opener on Tuesday against a strong Lehigh team.”

Rusnak, a junior co-captain for the Blue and Gold, tallied a game-high six saves while the Hawks’ keeper Bryan Meredith was only forced to stop one shot on goal.

The Hens will host Lehigh on Tuesday, September 15 in a 7 p.m. match at Delaware Mini-Stadium.

AGATE:

Delaware..........................0...0.....0
Monmouth.......................3...0.....3

Scoring Summary: First Half: MON - Ryan Clark 10:24, MON - George Quintano (R.J. Allen) 13:33, MON - Chase Barbieri (Ryan Clark, Christian Nogueira) 34:19; Second Half: None; Shots: UD - 3, MON - 19; Corner Kicks: UD - 1, MON - 7; Saves: UD - 6 (Conrad Rusnak), MON - 1 (Bryan Meredith); Fouls: UD - 7, MON 11; Offsides: UD - 0, MON - 2.