Men’s Soccer Drops Physical Battle To Monroe CC, 2-1

TAUNTON, Mass. ---- Joao Cardoso found the back of the net early in the first half, but Monroe Community College responded with two unanswered goals to defeat the Massasoit CC men's soccer team 2-1 at Taunton Eagles Field on Saturday.

The contest was a physical match, featuring 31 fouls, 20 made by Monroe CC, as Massasoit fell to 2-1-1 on the season.

Cardoso's goal was his second of the season, which was set up by Joel Lobo, who corralled a saved shot off the foot of Julio Gomes for the assist.

Unfortunately the lead was short lived for Massasoit as Monroe CC (3-1-1) connected on a corner kick to knot up the score in the 16^th minute on a goal off the head of David Antunez.

"I think we came out playing well and we made a bad decision when the keeper called for the ball and didn't get it and (Monroe CC) tied the game. That kind of play brings your whole moral down," head coach Rui Estrela said.

The game went to intermission tied, 1-1, as Monroe CC held a nine to six shot advantage.

In the second half, Massasoit tried to clear a ball out its defensive half of the field, but the pass was picked off by Mazin Mohamed, who lofted a shot out of the reach of keeper Andre Reis for what proved to be the game-winning goal.

"We need to do better in the aspect of keeping the game in check when we have a lead. At this level against a team as good as we played today, if you don't keep possession, this is what is going to happen," Estrela said.

In his second start of the season, Reis finished with five saves, four coming in the second half.

Next up for the Warriors is a home contest against Dean College on Wednesday at 4 p.m.