FC Monmouth wins third in a row, defeats NY Braveheart SC
Written by Chris Dailey
FC Monmouth defeated NY Braveheart SC 3-2 in one of the most thrilling home matches in FC Monmouth history.
Fresh off wins over Lighthouse Boys Club of Kensington and Kingston Stockade, FC Monmouth came into the game eager to maintain their record to perfect record on the 2025 season. Meanwhile, NY Braveheart SC came into the fixture with a hungry mindset, having dropped their first game of the year to Met Oval Academy.
Braveheart started off strong. Miguel Soto Gonzales showcased his flashy footwork before delivering a beautiful ball into the box, met by a stunning bicycle kick goal from his teammate in the fifth minute of action. Braveheart were able to hold onto their lead for half an hour, until Aidan Tisony produced a moment of brilliance.
Tisony’s back-post ball to the feet of Patrick Shaw was picturesque, and it drew FC Monmouth on level terms. Ten minutes later, just before the half came to an end, Davide Caputo was fouled inside the 18 and Andrew Araya subsequently buried the penalty kick. The goal mirrored FC Monmouth’s game-winner versus Stockade, which came as a result of a foul drawn by Caputo.
Former NYCFC player Daniel Bedoya eventually equalized for Braveheart in the second half, but FC Monmouth kept pushing. The Blue and Gold finally broke through again in the 86th minute as Nate Aneveski headed the ball in off a corner kick. The goal drew confusion as FC Monmouth players were hesitant to celebrate, unsure whether the ball had fully crossed the line. After a brief moment of stillness, the referee blew his whistle and signaled the ball went in.
FC Monmouth fans erupted, and the Blue and Gold were able to hold on for the next 5 minutes to see out their third consecutive victory.
“Not quite the performance we were chasing, but it definitely helps to get the result. I think the way we’re trying to play - I don’t think, I know - usually takes a bit longer. We don’t really have time on the side, so we’re going to have to get to work on Tuesday and start to figure out the best versions of ourselves,” stated FC Monmouth head coach Hugh MacDonald following the game.
MacDonald also noted how pleased he has been with the performances of his captain, Andrew Araya, both in and out of training.
“He’s been the most consistent from the start. He shows up every day, works his butt off, first to respond, so it’s not shocking at all to see the start that he has had,” said MacDonald.
Araya, who played in a deeper holding midfield role last season, is very pleased with how his start to the season has been.
“It feels great,” Araya said on scoring a goal in all three games this season. He continued, “Last year, I was in a deeper position. Now, I have [Jake] Homowitz doing that job, and he’s doing excellent, which is great to see. Coach Hugh gave me that freedom to push more up top, be there on the top of the box, and obviously it’s a penalty, but I’m getting chances. First I had the left-footed shot. Going three for three feels good.”
Araya and the rest of the FC Monmouth squad will look to build off their momentum as they travel to Atlantic City FC on May 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 PM.
To keep updated with all things Blue and Gold, follow @wearemonmouth on social media.