Monroe boys' soccer welcomed #2 ranked team Detroit Country Day to Bunkelman field on Friday night. It was the first ever meeting between the Trojans and the program that has been most successful in Michigan soccer history(16 state titles) and the game lived up to its expectations.

Monroe had the better of the opening half with Jovanny Gallegos having a fine headed goal from a Lucis Rzepa cross called off for an infringement. In the opening minutes Country Day were having trouble clearing the ball and Yuma Watanabe seized on a poor pass out of the back and drilled the ball home from just outside the box to give Monroe the 1-0 lead.Unfortunately  Watanabe had to leave the game shortly after when he was first to the ball but was brought down in a heavy collision with the goalkeeper.The referee deemed it accidental and no penalty was given. The visitors began to press forward and were fortunate to be awarded their own penalty right before the half time whistle which they converted to equalize.

HT 1-1

In the second half Country Day had the upper hand as the exertions from a game only 24 hours earlier began to take its toll on the Monroe squad. Monroe almost got the go ahead goal when a curling free kick from Talen Swinkey narrowly missed the incoming forwards on the far post.

The Trojans were forced to dig in as the match drew to a close and repelled the increasing attacks until the final minute when Country Day found an opening and scored with the last kick of the game. A very disappointing conclusion to an excellent, hard fought contest between two highly skilled and competitive teams.Excellent performance by the Monroe players especially the defensive pairing of Trevor Mann and Mathieu Grenn at the heart of the defense. 

At half time Monroe honored this years outstanding senior class of Talen Swinkey, Austin Dunn, Trevor Mann, Matt Grenn, Yuma Watanabe, Ethan Merkle and Lucis Rzepa.

Thank you seniors for all the great memories and good luck for the future!

GO TROJANS!

Monroe now 8-4-1 Next game at Belleville on Monday September 25 at 7:00pm