Monroe College tops Cowley to advance to championship game

The Monroe College men’s soccer team advanced to the NJCAA Division I Men’s Soccer National Championship Game for the fifth time in program history on Thursday at Orlando Health Stadium in Melbourne, Florida.

The Mustangs picked up the 2-1 victory over Cowley College in the first semifinal at Eastern Florida State College.

Cowley College got on the board first less than two minutes into the contest when Felipe Freitas took a cross from Caique Trivelato and finished it. Up 1-0 it looked like Cowley may make it 2-0 on another Freitas strike but Monroe goalkeeper made the first of many great saves to keep it 1-0.

Tony Yeboah showed his speed with XXX left in the first half, scoring the first of his two goals in the first half.

With six minutes left in the first half it was Rodriguez again making a nice save to keep the Mustangs in the lead.

Cowley threatened for most of the second half but the Mustangs defense were up to the challenge, celebrating as the final seconds ran off the clock.

“What a super talented team that Cowley is, you can see the way they controlled large parts of that game. We really played the entire second in the counter,” Monroe College men’s soccer coach Marcos DiBernardo said. “These teams are so good, Cowley was amazing and we did a great job of limiting their chances, they are a top team.”

Monroe College will play for the national title Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Eastern Florida State College.