WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – Columbia senior Dylan Mott scored a first half goal for what ended up being the game-winner as Columbia men's soccer notched a 1-0 victory over Monmouth Friday night. With the victory, the Lions improve to 3-1-1 on the season, with a week off until a showdown at No. 12 Fordham next Friday.
 
In the first half of action at Monmouth, Mott gathered a pass in the box from Francisco Agrest, who turned and shot on the left side for the goal. The first score of the season for Mott put Columbia up 1-0 in the 11th minute, on what was the first assist of the year from Francisco Agrest.
 
Later in the half, Kynan Rocks, who netted three goals in the 3-0 win over Binghamton on Monday, had a shots saved in the 22nd minute. Avi Eller had an attempt saved and another hit the post also in the first half. Dylan Castanheira saved the lone Monmouth shot on goal in the first, as the Lions went into the break up 1-0.
 
The Columbia defense was strong in the second half, only allowing two total shots with neither attempt coming on goal. The Hawks held strong in their final third as well, with an Eller attempt going wide and two attempts by Agrest being saved and blocked in the half.
 
Castanheira saved the lone attempt on goal in the match, putting up his second shutout win of the season and 22nd of his career, moving into second place on the all-time Columbia list. The goal for Mott was his fifth of his career, as he now has one goal and one assist in 2018.