Madison, NJ - The Montclair State University men's lacrosse team opened its 2003 campaign with a 9-7 victory today against Drew University at Rangers Stadium. It was MSU's first game and first win under new head coach John Greco, who took over for long-time mentor Doug Alsofrom (MSU, 1988-2002) back in July. Montclair opened its 2002 season with a 10-5 win over Drew.

Junior attackman SEAN PEKARSKY (Clifton, NJ) paced the Red Hawk offense today with two goals and three assists for five points, while classmate CHRIS MEIXNER (Hamburg, NJ) tallied three goals. Pekarksy led MSU last season with 41 points, while Meixner scored a team-high 33 goals. Sophomore attackman KEVIN GONDRES (Fair Lawn, NJ) registered two assists for the Red Hawks this afternoon, while senior midfielder DAVE GONDRES (Fair Lawn, NJ), freshman attacker JOHN DELLA PESCA (Fair Lawn, NJ), senior midfielder ANTHONY MOSCA (Clifton, NJ) and freshman attacker RICH DOYEN (Basking Ridge, NJ) scored MSU's other goals.

Senior netminder VINNY DEGENNARO (Fair Lawn, NJ) posted 15 saves in the Montclair cage. MSU led 6-3 at the half, and weathered two back-to-back Drew goals in the fourth quarter as the host Rangers pulled to within 8-6, before Pekarsky tacked on an insurance goal with exactly five minutes remaining in regulation. The Red Hawks outshot the Rangers, 34-26, while both schools scored twice with a man advantage.

The Red Hawks are scheduled to return to action at home on Wednesday, March 5, against Southampton College at 4:30 p.m. at MSU's Sprague Field. MSU was 6-0 at home in 2002.