WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Junior back Emmanuel Senyah Agyemang (Kumasi, Ghana/KNUST University) scored the equalizer with 52.5 seconds remaining in regulation as the Monmouth University men’s soccer team tied intrastate rival Seton Hall, 1-1, Friday night on The Great Lawn. With the draw, the Hawks move to 0-2-1, while the Pirates are now 1-0-2.

 

An action-packed first half ended without either team finding the back of the net. The Hawks created a pair of scoring opportunities in the 17^th minute, as Francois “Paco” Navarro’s shot was saved, but Jacob Rubinstein gathered the rebound and sent a shot on net past the goalkeeper. But a Seton Hall field player cleared the ball off the line to keep the game scoreless.

 

The Pirates took the lead in the 72^nd minute when Mateusz Brela got on the end of Victor Manosalvas’ corner kick. Hawks goalkeeper Stephen Graziani (Succasunna, N.J./Roxbury) deflected the ball back onto the field, but the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line, giving Seton Hall the 1-0 lead.

 

Playing a man down after Joseph Schmid (Kingston, Pa./Wyoming Valley West) was sent off for a second yellow card, the Hawks managed to keep the pressure on the Pirates. David Acuna Camacho (Heredia, Costa Rica/Costa Rica Youth National Team) sent a cross to the opposite post where Agyemang blasted a shot underneath the crossbar to beat Seton Hall goalkeeper Julian Spindler from close range with just 52.5 seconds remaining in regulation.

 

In the second overtime, the Pirates’ Alex Megna put a shot on Graziani, but junior goalkeeper made a diving save to preserve the draw.

 

For the game, Seton Hall took a 12-9 edge in shots, while corner kicks were an even 7-7. Graziani made three saves for the Hawks, while Spindler stopped two shots for the Pirates.    

 

The Hawks return to action Wednesday, when they play host to Villanova on The Great Lawn. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.