WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University men's soccer team remained unbeaten on the season behind its 1-0 victory over visiting Columbia University on Sunday afternoon on The Great Lawn. The Hawks, now 4-0-1 on the year and unbeaten in their last seven straight home matches, earned the shutout win behind senior Ryan Clark's first goal on the season.

 

In the 37th minute, Clark sent a bending, left-footed corner kick into the area, which carried into the net off Columbia starting goalkeeper Michael Attal's outstretched hands, for the decisive marker, the 13th goal of his career.

"I was pleased with our guys' performance today," stated Monmouth head coach Robert McCourt, who earned his 105th victory in the beginning of his ninth season with the Hawks. "We created a bunch of good goal-scoring opportunities, and defensively, we did not give up too many chances."

 

Senior Alex Blackburn, who registered his third clean sheet of the season, increased his career shutout total to 15 with the victory for Monmouth. Blackburn made a pair of saves in net, none bigger than the kick save off of Henning Sauerbier's strike with just over four minutes remaining.

 

Monmouth, which outshot the Lions 8-0 in the opening stanza, held an 11-4 advantage in shots in the game, while holding an 8-2 edge in corner kick opportunities.

 

Columbia's Attal made one save in the first 45 minutes for the Lions, while Kyle Jackson played a scoreless second half in goal.

 

Monmouth returns to action on Friday, September 14, when the Hawks travel to South Orange, N.J., to face Seton Hall at 7:00 p.m.