WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University men’s soccer team scored three goals in the first 33 minutes to beat Seton Hall, 3-0, in front of 1,370 Friday night on The Great Lawn. Freshmen Andres Penfold (Scarsdale, N.Y./Scarsdale) and Kalle Sotka (Helsinki, Finland/Makelanrinteen Sports H.S.) scored in the 12^th and 16^th minutes, respectively, while sophomore Joseph Schmid (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West [Villanova]) put the game away with a tally in the 33^rd minute. With the win, the Hawks improve to 4-1-0, while the Pirates fall to 3-2-1.

Senior RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J./St. Joseph’s) contributed two assists, while Sotka and junior Ryan Clark (Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township) also chipped in with one assist each. Junior goalkeeper Alex Blackburn (Natick, Mass./Natick) and the Hawks’ defense completed their fourth clean sheet of the season, allowing just one Seton Hall shot on net. Blackburn made one save. Meanwhile, the Hawks rifled off 16 shots, eight of which forced Seton Hall goalie Kevin Bonder to make a play. Bonder finished with five saves, while allowing three goals in defeat.

The Hawks dominated the first half, outshooting the Pirates, 6-1. Five of the Hawks’ six shots were on net, while the Monmouth defense did not allow a shot on goal in the initial stanza. The Hawks took three first-half corner kicks while not surrendering one to Seton Hall. Things evened out in the second half, as both teams took 10 shots and Seton Hall got three opportunities at corner kicks to the Hawks’ two.

Penfold put away what proved to be the game-winner just 11:56 into the match. Allen sent a cross to Sotka, who played it on one touch to Penfold in the 18-yard box. Penfold went low inside the far post for the score. Less than four minutes later, Clarke sent a cross from the goal line that Sotka headed in from inside the six-yard box. At 32:05, Schmid contributed the knockout punch, unleashing a shot from the top of the 18-yard box inside the right post.      

The Hawks return to action Sunday, when they play host to Bucknell. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on The Great Lawn.

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