FC Monmouth Make History with First Double Header
Written by Chris Dailey
Since FC Monmouth’s inaugural season back in 2018, the club has enjoyed many historic nights at Count Basie Park. From the Blue and Gold’s first home game to the amazing 2021 season, there has been an abundance of big moments in the club’s relatively young history. However, Saturday night’s double-header may just top them all.
The night featured two games: FC Monmouth men’s against Kensington SC in The League for Clubs (TLFC) and a Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) clash between the women’s team and the Delaware Ospreys.
The men’s team kicked off the festivities with their 4:30 PM game against Kensington. Patrick Shaw scored the lone goal of the game in the 41st minute off a feed from Jack Longo. The goal marked Shaw’s third consecutive game with a goal, and it was Longo’s first assist of the season.
Despite the narrow scoreline of 1-0, FC Monmouth were clearly in the driver's seat throughout the game. Inspired by the large crowd, many of whom braved a rainstorm en route to Red Bank, the Blue and Gold possessed the ball with ease. After Shaw’s goal, Davide Caputo scored what appeared to be FC Monmouth’s second of the day thanks to a clever overhead kick from Shaw.
Caputo perfectly timed his run as the ball then soared over Kensington’s defense right into the path of the crafty midfielder from Rowan University. However, the sideline referee determined Caputo was offside. Although the call disgruntled the FC Monmouth bench and home crowd alike, the team were still able to see out the 1-0 win in the second half.
“It feels great to see that the work that we’re doing in training Tuesdays and Thursdays is paying off. The group is becoming family, like I said before. Everyone is fighting for each other every 90, and the results show,” stated Andrew Araya, captain of FC Monmouth, following the match.
Spirits were high after the men’s game, and they only arose even more as the women’s team took the field.
Two quick goals from Sunni DiElmo and Paige Seitz gave FC Monmouth a comfortable early 2-0 lead. The game looked to be smooth-sailing for the home side, or at least most in attendance thought.
Miscommunication from the FC Monmouth defense gave the Ospreys’ forward Alaina Alston a 1 on 1 with goalkeeper Saige Santa Cruz. Alston calmly slid the ball into the bottom corner. Two minutes later, the Ospreys’ Ashley Hughes weaved between FC Monmouth defenders at the top corner of the 18 before delivering a perfect ball into the top right corner. The Ospreys’ two unanswered goals before the half felt like a gut punch to the Blue and Gold – who were undeniably the more dominant team for the majority of the first 45 minutes.
FC Monmouth regained their form in the second half. Grace Crowley’s goal from just outside the box skipped into the back of the net seven minutes into the half. In the 63rd minute, Seitz drew a foul inside the box and followed up with a confident penalty, sealing the deal for FC Monmouth as they held onto their 4-2 lead.
Seitz’s standout performance included two goals paired with her assist on DiElmo’s goal. The William & Mary midfielder also scored the game winner on the road against SJEB FC earlier in the week. She has quickly become FC Monmouth’s go-to player in the attacking third, and her class has been on full display in the first half of the season.
Seitz was named FC Monmouths’s Player of the Match - presented by Amici’s Pizzeria.
The women’s team win was a credit to an overall fight within the group and roster depth, as the game was the team’s fourth in a seven day span.
“It's been an all round group effort. Obviously it starts with the players, but I have to shout out our coaches and staff as well. With this many games in a short amount of time we all have worn many hats on and off the field to get the job done,” remarked FC Monmouth’s general manager, James Davis, on the week.
With six points on the day, the historic first-ever home double-header was certainly a success. The men’s team remains undefeated on the season and is ranked number four in the nation, while the women’s side sit second in the Colonial Division.
The club’s next home game is on June 14 as the men’s side square off in a top of the table clash against Met Oval FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 PM.
To buy tickets for future games, visit fcmonmouth.com/tickets. To follow along with all things FC Monmouth, follow us on social media @wearemonmouth.