Big comeback sends Monroe boys soccer to sectional final

NEW BRUNSWICK - After trailing 2-0, the fourth-seeded Monroe boys soccer team found itself in a deep hole early in the NJSIAA Central Group IV Tournament semifinal against top-seeded New Brunswick, and the Falcons relied on an unexpected hero to dig them out.

Junior Matt Mischler scored on a direct kick right in front of the box with just over four minutes left in the game to give the Falcons a 3-2 victory and a berth in the sectional final on Friday. It was Mischler’s third goal of the match and the third unanswered goal from Monroe.

“We knew we needed goals as quickly as we could, and that’s what we did,” Mischler said. “It’s the best feeling, it’s amazing.”

Early in the game, it seemed like Monroe’s state playoff run was over. New Brunswick sophomore Kevin Sanchez flicked a ball over his head to a wide open Raul Galindo, who scored just two minutes into the game.

Ten minutes later, the Zebras extended the lead to 2-0 when Sanchez took a beautiful strike off a direct kick from 35 yards and found the back of the net. After falling behind 2-0, Monroe seemed a bit rattled and lost.

“We were on our heels a bit, probably a little bit of nerves,” Monroe coach Steven Mackenzie said. “They seemed like they were trying not to make a mistake.”

After the second Zebras goal, Mackenzie moved Mischler, normally a defensive player who had only two goals, up. The adjustment paid off when Mischler scored right before halftime to cut the deficit to 2-1.

“That gave us a big lift,” Justin Armorer said. “Once we got the first one, we knew we could keep fighting and get another one.”

Monroe came into the second half looking like a different team. The roles reversed and it was the Falcons that had the unrelenting offensive attack, taking shot after shot on goal.

Mischler’s game-tying goal came about 15 minutes into the second half when New Brunswick goalie Alexis Narvaez was caught in between the ball and the net, and Mischler capitalized on the keeper’s indecisiveness.

“He’s played everywhere for us, he’s an awesome kid,” Mackenzie said.

The game-winner came on a direct kick, and there was no one more appropriate than the man of the match to take the kick. Mischler converted, sending Monroe to the sectional final against seventh-seeded Freehold Township.

“We need to carry the intensity over to the final,” Mischler said. “If we play with the same intensity, then I don’t think there will be anything that will stop us.”

With the loss, a successful and somewhat unexpected season for the Zebras came to an end. Despite the tough defeat, head coach Rafael Castillo beamed with pride after the game.

“I’m extremely happy and proud of what we accomplished,” Castillo said. “Nobody believed in us. This program has come a long way. I thought I’d be more upset than what I am, but I’m not. I’m very proud.”

Staff Writer Daniel LoGiudice: dlogiudice@gannettnj.com