LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Junior forward Edney Derrick (Kumasi, Ghana/KNUST University) and sophomore defender Matt Jeffery (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) both scored goals and the Hawks’ defense completed its 15^th shutout in the last 25 games as the Monmouth University men’s soccer team defeated intrastate foe Rider, 2-0, Friday night at Ben Cohen Field. With the win, the Hawks improve to 3-0 on the season, while Rider falls to 0-1 after its season opener.

“Full credit goes to Rider for making it very difficult for us tonight,” said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. “However our guys showed tremendous character in getting a win in a difficult place to play on the road. Derrick scored an exceptional goal in the first half off a pass from Alex Weidman (Linwood, N.J./Mainland Regional) and Matt Jeffery sealed the game with a great header off a good pass by Paco Navarro.”

The Hawks got on the board in the 36^th minute as Derrick scored his first goal in the Blue & White, heading in a Weidman cross. In the 76^th minute, Jeffery gave the Hawks some insurance, heading in Francois “Paco” Navarro’s (Paris, France/William Carey) corner.

Alex Blackburn (Natick, Mass./Natick) earned the shutout victory in net for Monmouth, making one save. Matt Perrella made six saves in defeat for the Broncs. Monmouth took an 11-9 edge in shots and a 6-4 advantage in corner kicks on the night.

Monmouth returns home Sunday to face Hofstra (2-0) in an early-season battle of undefeated teams. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. under the lights on The Great Lawn.    

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