WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Dom Sarle (Huntington, N.Y./Bradenton Prep) scored in the 61^st minute and Bryant Avalos (Brick, N.J./Monsignor Donovan) added a goal in the 81^st minute as the Monmouth University men’s soccer team defeated Holy Cross, 2-0, Saturday night at Hesse Field on The Great Lawn. With the win, the Hawks improve to 3-1-0, while the Crusaders fall to 0-2-1.

“I thought our movement off the ball was great,” said Monmouth Head Coach Robert McCourt. “Early decisions. Passing and moving early. Creating chances through the run of play. It’s something we’ve been trying to improve on every day. We also talked about putting a complete 90 minutes in. Holy Cross is a good team. It was a difficult match for us. At times they really tested us and I thought our guys did a good job of putting a full 90 in and getting a deserved result.”
 

John Egan (Smithtown, N.Y./Hauppauge) assisted on Sarle’s goal, while David Acuna Camacho (Heredia, Costa Rica/Costa Rica Youth National Team) picked up the assist on Avalos’ tally. Monmouth goalkeeper Eric Klenofsky (Lincoln Park, N.J./DePaul Catholic) made two saves to record his second shutout of the season.

Following a scoreless first half in which Monmouth outshot the Crusaders, 5-0, the Hawks broke the deadlock in the 61^st minute. Egan sent a beautiful cross to the right post, where Sarle headed the ball low inside the post to beat Holy Cross goalkeeper Kevin Wright.

 

In the 81^st minute, the Hawks were awarded a corner and Camacho lofted a perfect pass to Avalos for a header at the far post.

For the game, the Hawks outshot Holy Cross, 11-3, and took a 9-3 edge in corners. Wright made six saves in the loss for the Crusaders.

 

The Hawks return to action Tuesday, when they travel to intrastate foe Rutgers. Kickoff from Yurcak Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.