WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – On the heels of a 12-match unbeaten streak, the Monmouth University men’s soccer team has earned the No. 25 ranking in the NSCAA NCAA Division I Men’s National Poll and the No. 29 position in the College Soccer News Top 30 National Poll, the two organizations have announced. The ranking in the NSCAA Poll is the highest for Monmouth since the 2012 season, while the Hawks have risen to as high as the No. 4 national ranking in the 2010 season. In addition, the Hawks are ranked first the NSCAA Northeast Region Rankings.
“It’s fantastic to get some strong national recognition once again,” said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. “The players and staff have been working very hard but enjoying every step in the process this season. We started the season getting some national recognition, but fully understand finishing the season on a high note was always the top priority. Our chemistry on and off the field has been great. It really makes it fun to be around this year’s team. The ultimate goal for our team is to make the NCAA tournament once again. It’s nice for the team’s commitment to the jersey to get recognized along the way.”
The Hawks’ 12-match unbeaten streak (9-0-3) is the third-longest in the nation, tied with No. 3 Stanford behind top-ranked Creighton (14 games) and No. 7 Denver (13 games). Monmouth currently leads the nation with nine different players with at least two goals, led by Colin Stripling (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains Fanwood) and Dave Nigro (Marlboro, NJ/Marlboro) with four goals apiece. Junior goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky (Lincoln Park, NJ/DePaul Catholic), the two-time defending NCAA Division I Statistical Champion in Goals-Against Average, has posted a 0.70 GAA and an .820 save percentage, while piling up seven clean sheets this year.
Monmouth returns to action tomorrow night, when it travels to Manhattan. Kickoff from Gaelic Park in Riverdale, NY, is scheduled for 7 p.m.