TOWSON, Md. – Jacob Rubinstein’s goal in the 73rd minute broke a scoreless tie and led the Monmouth Hawks (1-0-0) to a 1-0 season-opening road victory over Towson (0-1-0) Friday evening at the Tiger Soccer Complex.
The Tigers, also playing their first game of the season, were treated to a large home crowd and stayed with the Hawks through the first half. Though Monmouth was able to control the ball for much of the opening frame, the Towson defense stood tall and did not allow Monmouth to score in the first half.
Making his Tiger and collegiate debut, Tiger freshman
goalkeeper Felix Petermann kept
Towson even with the Hawks for much of the game, despite facing a large amount
of shots. Monmouth peppered the Tigers’ rookie with 17 total shots, but
Petermann made some tremendous saves to keep the game close. He finished with
four saves for Towson and head coach Frank Olszewski.
“Felix came up big numerous times,” Olszewski said. “It was a good first game for him, it really was. His temperament was good and I thought he did well for us today.”
After generating just two shots in the first half, the Tigers came alive in the second and attempted seven shot against the Hawks and goalie Alex Blackburn.
The Hawks were finally able to get on the board off a corner kick served in by Francois Navarro. Jacob Rubinstein came up with it and put the ball in the back of the net 72:43 into the game for the final 1-0 margin.
Junior forward Olakunle Banjo, a Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, led the Tigers with three shots while senior midfielder Phil Martinelli and junior forward Enrico Skrypzak each had two shots.
The Tigers are back in action Tuesday on the road when they visit Mount St. Mary’s. The game will start at 5 p.m.
