Men’s Soccer Battles Monroe College To 1-1 Draw

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. ---- In its first night game of the season, the Massasoit Community College men's soccer team battled Monroe College on the road to a 1-1 tie on Saturday night. 

The tie brings the Warriors record to 2-2-2 on the season. The next game for Massasoit is Wednesday at home against Bunker Hill CC. Match time is set for 4 p.m.

"It was a great overall team effort," head coach Rui Estrela said. "We worked hard all around and played a very even back and forth game with Monroe.  The boys all really stepped up their game and played well together and worked hard for one another, which was very nice to see. Hopefully we can build off this tie and continue to improve moving forward."

Both teams found the back of the net in the first half, with Monroe College striking first at the five-minute mark. Amare Thomas beat Massasoit keeper Andre Reis (Fall River, Mass.) to take an early 1-0 lead.

Reis would be flawless the rest of the way, holding Monroe scoreless for the next 105 minutes of game action spanning the rest of regulation and two overtime periods.

Offensively, the Warriors would answer as Joel Lobo (Brockton, Mass.) took a pass from Hesham Khlasa (Turkey) for the equalizer in the 25^th minute. It marked the third goal of the year for Lobo, tying him for second most on the team this season.

Neither squad could find the back of the net in the second half or in a pair of 10-minute overtime periods as the game ended in a tie.

Reis put forth a strong effort in goal, totaling nine saves on a total of 22 shots by Monroe. Reis and Warrior defense would bend, but not break, holding off the home squad that also had 10 corner kicks and several opportunities to score on the night.