Wayne, NJ (10/02/02) - The Montclair State University men's soccer team dropped its first New Jersey Athletic Conference decision this season with a 2-0 loss tonight at William Paterson University. MSU falls to 7-2-1 overall and 2-1 in NJAC play after surrendering more than one goal in a game for the first time this fall.

Montclair State sophomore goalkeeper CHRIS OWEN (Pompton Lakes, NJ/Pompton Lakes) made eight saves in the loss, while his William Paterson counterpart CHRIS AURIANO finished with 12 stops as the two teams tied in shots taken, 15-15. ERICCSON VALIENTE put the Pioneers on top at 37:54 of regulation before DAVE SZELLER iced the contest with an insurance tally at 50:30 off an assists by JASON IRIZARRY.

MSU senior forward and leading scorer ATIBA YUSUF (East Orange, NJ/East Orange) led all players in the game with five shots. Montclair outchanced WPU in corner kicks on the night, 10-2, and outshot William Paterson, 10-6, in the final 45 minutes of play, but was shutout for the second straight game and just the third time this year. WPU is now 7-3 overall and 2-2 in NJAC contests.