Upper Montclair, NJ (9/08/02) - The Montclair State University men's soccer team erupted for three goals in less than 11 minutes early in the second half in a 3-0 win over Delaware Valley (PA) College to claim the 2002 Ramada Inn Cup. William Paterson University defeated Castleton State (VT) College, 2-0, in Wayne, NJ in today's other Cup contest.

Montclair State topped Castleton, 5-1, yesterday afternoon, while WPU defeated DVC, 2-0 - Montclair thus won the 2002 Cup on goal differential, 7-4, against WPU. It is the third time Montclair has won the tournament since it began back in 1998, with MSU's other wins coming in 1998 and 2000. The Red Hawks (3-0) have now also won four straight games dating back to the end of last season. DVC fell to 0-4 on the year, while Castleton is now 0-3 and WPU is 4-0.

After a scoreless first half that saw MSU outshot DVC, 10-5, the Red Hawks finally broke through at 49:53 when senior midfielder MARK SA (Newark, NJ) headed in a pass from the left side by junior midfielder GIOVANNI ARANEO (New Milford, NJ). Freshman defender MIKE HOGAN (Parsippany, NJ) also assisted on the play. Hogan then made it 2-0 at 58:21 on his second goal in as many games, off a set-up by sophomore midfielder MATT CASWELL (Piscataway, NJ), before the two combined again for MSU's third goal off a corner kick at 60:56.

MSU outshot DVC, 26-10, while Red Hawk sophomore goalkeeper CHRIS OWEN (Pompton Lakes, NJ) finished with four saves in collecting his second shutout in three outings. DVC freshman NICK Farda (Analomink, PA) notched eight saves for the Aggies.

Hogan was chosen as the 2002 Ramada Inn Cup Most Valuable Player after tallying three goals and an assist in the two games this weekend. MSU returns to action on Wednesday at Scranton (PA) - the Red Hawks defeated the Royals, 4-3, in Upper Montclair last October to cap their 2001 campaign.