Box Score
BAY LAKE, Fla. - The Manhattan men's soccer team conceded a late goal off a set piece to fall to top-seeded Monmouth, 2-1, in the 2015 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) quarterfinals.
The Hawks advance to take on Iona in the semifinals on Sunday. The Jaspers conclude their season at 4-11-2.
Monmouth struck first with a goal in the 9th minute, as junior midfielder Miguel Alves played in a cross from 25 yards out along the left side. The ball bounced about ten yards from goal, and after hopping between a few players, stayed on course and curled inside the right post.
Despite the early advantage for the Hawks, the Jaspers stayed positive and maintained an attacking mindset. The score would remain 1-0 into the halftime break.
Manhattan came out of the intermission and found an equalizer almost immediately, with a goal in the 47th minute. Senior and First Team All-MAAC selection Abraham Bartoah (New Haven, Conn. / Monroe) took a shot that Monmouth junior keeper Eric Klenofsky was able to stop, but the rebound popped out to Ajani Phillips (South River, N.J. / Saint Peter's Prep), who managed to bury the ball under the bar to level the match at one.
The score would remain 1-1 until the Hawks broke the deadlock in the 87th minute. Monmouth won a free kick just over 20 yards away and almost straight on goal. Senior captain David Acuna Camacho stood over the ball and blasted a low drive past the Manhattan wall and inside the right corner. The goal proved to be the game-winner, sending the Hawks to the semifinals.
The Jaspers hoped to find an answer with late heroics, as the squad won its first round meeting with Saint Peter's with a goal in the 90th minute, but the team could not replicate its success from the previous afternoon.
Manhattan outshot Monmouth 13-11 and held a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
Freshman goalkeeper R.J. Noll (Yelm, Wash. / Yelm) posted six saves in the outing.
The contest marked the second time this season the Jaspers played the top team in the conference to an extremely close decision, with the Hawks defeating Manhattan in extra time earlier in the year before earning the late win on Friday afternoon.
Monmouth will take on Iona on Sunday at 11 a.m. before Siena battles Rider in the second MAAC semifinal matchup at 2 p.m. the same day.
The two winners on Sunday will square off in the 2015 MAAC final on Monday at 12 p.m. for a bid to the NCAA Tournament.