Monroe College comes back to beat Jefferson College, wins Pool C

The Monroe College men’s soccer team came storming back in a highly-contested matchup with Jefferson College in Pool C of the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne, Florida.

Monroe College picked up the 3-2 victory over Jefferson College to advance to the national tournament semifinals on Thursday.

Early on it was all Jefferson College as Joao Saraiva scored on a Charley Leech assist to make it 1-0 11 minutes into the contest. Four minutes later Saraiva scored again and the Vikings were up 2-0.

It would stay 2-0 until right before halftime when Tony Yeboah scored on a Nils Friebe assist.

Down 2-1 the Mustangs came out fast in the second half as Godwin Partey leaped high to head the ball into the back of the net to tie the game.

Less than 10 minutes later Bruno Rosa scored on a pass from Diego Batista to give the Mustangs the lead.

Mustangs goalkeeper made the save of the game with just under 30 minutes remaining as he covered some ground to make the save after a nice cross from Jefferson.

Jefferson College and Angelina College were both eliminated with the Monroe College win.

“The Jefferson team fought to the last minute and they were the most respectful bunch after the game, wishing us well to go on and win it. If we get eliminated, that is the way I want to go out of the tournament and that is a testament to that team and the coach. And that is good for JUCO soccer,”  Monroe College men[‘s soccer coach Marcus DeBernardo said.

The Mustangs are heading to a semifinals matchup with Cowley College who defeated Daytona State College.