WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - There were no opening game jitters for the University of Pennsylvania men's soccer program Friday night, as the Quakers shot out early for two goals in the first 17 minutes and used a stout defensive effort to blank Monmouth, 2-0. The win pushes Penn to 1-0 for the second year in a row. 

PENN NEWS AND NOTES
*Freshman Kai Lammers struck for Penn's first goal of the season, looping in a ball from the left flank in the ninth minute to put the Red and Blue ahead 1-0. Lammers is the first rookie to score in a season opener for Penn since Austin Kuhn netted a goal against Drexel in 2014.

*Brandon Bartel assisted on Penn's first goal of the night. Bartel led the Ivy League with six assists last year and now has 10 in his career. 

*Penn's second tally came from junior Joey Bhangdia who took a ball from Anthony Rovito on the far post and beat the keeper into the back of the net. Bhangdia now owns two career goals, both against Monmouth. The helper was Rovito's second career assist.

*Sophomore Dane Jacomen started his first career game in goal, earning the shoutout without having to face any shots on goal.

*In addition to both Lammers and Jacomen, freshman Jack Rosener checked in for his first career playing time, clocking 28 minutes.

*Penn moves to 2-1 all-time against Monmouth, with all three meetings coming in the last three season openers.

*The Quakers are now 4-0 when scoring at least two goals under Coach Brian Gill.

*The win is Penn's first season opening victory on the road since a 2-0 win at La Salle in 2011. 

HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn was strong early on, maintaining possession and applying pressure with quick passes in Monmouth's defensive half. Lammers' goal came on a flurry of passes from the middle of the field into the left flank, with Brandon Bartel tapping the final ball over to the rookie before he laced a beauty into the corner of the goal.

With Monmouth firmly on their heels, Penn didn't let up continuing to pound the ball on offense. Next up was a connection between Rovito and Bhangdia, as Rovito carried the ball into the right corner and planted a cross to a perfectly situated Bhangdia on the far post who banged home a second goal for the Quakers.

The Red and Blue carried their momentum into the end of the half with no real threats from the Hawks.

Bhangdia came close to netting his second of the night early in the second half, peppering a shot on goal that was deflected by the Monmouth keeper in the 49th minute. From that point, Monmouth was able to tilt the field in its favor ever slightly, controlling possession for a large part of the ensuing minutes.

Despite having possession, the Quaker defense was well equipped in shutting down any threats from the Hawks, maintaining shape and balance throughout to limit the home team to only four shots on the night, none on goal. 

Penn sniffed around the goal several more times before playing a game of keep away till the clock ticked down, earning the road win to start the year. 

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Quakers will host Marist in their home opener on Monday, Sept. 9 on Rhodes Field at 7 p.m.