The Fairleigh Dickinson men’ soccer team lost in stunning fashion to Monmouth in the NEC Tournament Championship match, 2-1 in double overtime, Sunday afternoon at Fairfield University’s Lessing Field in Fairfield, CT.  With the victory, the Hawks earn the NEC’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament and improve to 14-5-1 on the season, while the Knights conclude their season with an overall record of 11-5-3.

Monmouth’s Kalle Sotka scored his second goal of the match in the 120^th minute with 20 seconds remaining on the clock as his shot from 30 yards out on the left-hand side found the back of the net on the left side.

Seconds before Monmouth scored the goal, FDU’s #Kelvin Preciado# was called for a foul near the midfield circle that took down Erkko Puranen.  When the foul occurred, there was some confusion as to whether or not Monmouth reset the placement of the ball where the foul happened as the Knights thought it was at least five yards ahead of where it took place. 

In the flash of an eye, the Hawks touched the ball quickly to restart play, and Joseph Schmid delivered a pass to Sotka for the game-winner.

FDU was primed to win in the second overtime period as they appeared to be the fresher team on the field.  In the 117^th minute, Monmouth turned the ball over deep in its own territory and allowed junior #Jack McVey# to get a one-on-one chance with Hawks’ goalkeeper Alex Blackburn, but his shot from the left side went wide and high.

Four minutes into the second overtime, the Knights had a break away, but sophomore #Jonathan Gonzalez# was called offsides.

Overtime was played in the first place because Gonzalez gathered a loose ball just outside the six yard line and found the lower left-hand corner to tie the game at one halfway through the 65^th minute.  The goal was his fourth of the season.  Junior #Karlis Putans# was credited with the assist.

The match was physical from the start as both teams knew what was on the line.  The Hawks struck first at the end of the 27^th minute on Sotka’s first goal of the match.  Knights’ sophomore goalkeeper #Jacob Lissek# made a great save in traffic that deflected off the near post, but Stoka was able to find the back of the net with Lissek on the ground diving to his left.

Over the first 45 minutes, the Hawks outshot the Knights, 9-4.  In the second half, Monmouth’s offensive put even more pressure on the FDU defense as they fired off 10 more shots. 

Near the end of regulation the Hawks were starting to wear down, allowing the Knights to play more in the Monmouth zone.  Sophomore #Liam Cahill# got off clean look from around 25 yards out, but Blackburn was able to make a save on it.

Heading into overtime, Monmouth held a 20-6 advantage on shots and attempted 11 corner kicks to the Knights’ zero.

FDU took two more shots in the first overtime as freshman #Anders Vest-Hansen# and McVey took attempts.  The Knights controlled play for the most part in the first extra frame as well as the second overtime.

For the match, Monmouth outshot FDU, 22-10. 

“I am so proud of the guys for having competed so hard and so admirably,” Head Coach Seth Roland said.  “They deserved a better fate as we had them on the ropes in the second overtime.  It has been a very good year for our program, and the guys deserve all the credit for making this season such an outstanding one.”

Lissek played great in the goal for the Knights all day as he made a few crucial saves.  The first one came in the 17^th minute when a shot was ripped at the top of the 18.  He reached as high as he could, barely getting a finger tip on the ball and deflecting it over the goal.

Late in the second half, Sotka fired a shot in the middle of the box, and Lissek somehow made a great save on the play to force a corner kick. 

At the time with under five minutes to go in the second half, Lissek saved the season for the Knights as he made an unbelievable save diving to his left on a low kick from point-blank range by Derek Luke.  Somehow the ball was cleared out without any damage occurring.

In total, Lissek tied his career high with nine saves.  Blackburn made three saves for the Hawks.

Lissek, McVey and junior Antony Moore all made the all-tournament team which was announced after the match.

Gonzalez’s goal was the first for FDU against Monmouth since 2007.

The Knights return everyone from their roster for the 2012 season.