WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Nov. 14, 2010) – The Saint Francis men's soccer team couldn't sustain an offensive attack and top-seeded Monmouth used a lone second half goal to upend the Red Flash, 1-0, to win the 2010 Northeast Conference Championship on a warm day on The Great Lawn.

Jacob Rubinstein scored the game's only goal, his fourth of the season, after a free kick by Anthony Vazquez. Vazquez played a long kick to the right post, where Kinne headed it to the left post for Rubinstein's goal at 58:42.

SFU had a flurry at the end, including a header by sophomore James Price (Christchurch, New Zealand/St. Andrew’s College) (Christchurch, New
Zealand / St. Andrews College) with 1:26 to go, but Hawks' goalkeeper Bryan Meredith stood tall to the test each time.

The Red Flash ended one of their most successful seasons with an 11-7-1 record, while Monmouth defended its Northeast Conference title from a year ago and improved to 14-1-4.

“Monmouth is a great side,” said Saint Francis head coach Michael Casper. “We had our opportunities, but couldn't find the back of the net today. Hats off to Monmouth for a great game. They will represent the Northeast Conference very well in the NCAA Tournament. Our guys have now seen what it is like to play at this level. We will talk to them about what we need to do during our offseason to improve so we can take this one step further next year.

“I feel bad for our seniors, who have been great leaders and representatives for Saint Francis University. My only wish is that we could have won this for them.”

Seniors Patrick Fleming (Dunedin, New Zealand/Bayfield) (Dunedin, New Zealand / Bayfield), Benjamin Kujawa (Jarrettsville, Md./North Hartford) (Jarrettsville, Md. North Harford), and Sean O'Reilly (Front Royal,Va./Seton) (Front Royal, Va. / Seton) were named to the Northeast Conference All-Tournament Team for their efforts during the weekend.

Monmouth held a 14-8 advantage in shots in the game, including a 7-2 edge in the second half. The Hawks also had an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Saint Francis sophomore goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak (Herndon, Va./Gonzaga College) (Herndon, Va. / Gonzaga College) stopped three shots for the Red Flash in the game. Meredith had four saves.

After Rubinstein's goal, sophomore Wayne Tiller (Magnolia, Del./Caesar Rodney) (Magnolia, Del. / Caesar Rodney) had a chance at the equalizer moments later when Fleming found Tiller near the right corner of the 18-yard box. Tiller released a shot targeted for the near post with a defender on his side, but Meredith made the save.

The teams battled through a scoreless first half, but it wasn't without some excitement. Play was fairly even, and both teams had good scoring chances.

The Red Flash had the first opportunity of the game after a Fleming free kick came back out to Hibbs, who fired a shot from 38 yards out that sailed just over the crossbar.

Monmouth responded with a good scoring chance eighth minute off a cross that Ryan Kinne got a head on. His shot was targeted for the upper left corner, but Valcicak made a tremendous diving save to keep it scoreless

With the teams beginning to settle in, sophomore Seamus Ryder (Dunedin, New Zealand / Otago Boys) fed junior Kingsley McLeod (Rocky Mount, N.C./Rocky Mount) (Rocky Mount, N.C. / Rocky Mount) for a shot from 27 yards out that was saved by Bryan Meredith with 23:00 left in the period.

The Hawks nearly got on the board with just inside seven minutes remaining when Ryan Clark fed Kinne to the far post. Kinne's shot went high and wide of the goal, but the shot from six yards out wasn't far off the mark.

Kinne again targeted a shot from 12 yards out that Valcicak made a nice save on to keep the game scoreless with 1:43 left.

Monmouth had a slight edge in shots, 7-6, and corner kicks, 2-1. Valcicak and Meredith both made two saves in the first half.

For periodic men's soccer updates and other Red Flash news, follow Director of Athletic Communications Bob Volkert on Twitter at SFUVolkert.