Mansfield, CT (09/16/04) -Sophomore forward KRISTEN SWARTZ scored her first goal of the season with just under 12 minutes gone in sudden-death overtime as No. 6 nationally-ranked Montclair State University withstood an upset bid by host Eastern Connecticut State University to record a 2-1 victory Thursday afternoon.

The Red Hawks (6-0), ranked sixth nationally in the most recent STX/NFHCA Division III National Coaches Poll, won their fourth one-goal match this year. Eastern (2-3) lost its second straight one-goal decision, falling to Montclair for the seventh straight time. The Red Hawks won, 8-0, over the Warriors a year ago at MSU's Sprague Field.

Eastern junior forward Elena Lupone forced overtime when she swept in a crossing passs from junior midfielder Cate Morrill for the team-leading fifth goal of the season with ten seconds left in regulation. Swartz then ended the match with 11:37 gone in sudden-death overtime when she scored from the right of the cage on a pass from junior forward ALEXANDRIA KELLY. The winning goal was the result of a breakaway by the Red Hawks, with Kelly pulling Eastern senior keeper Jessica Roberts out of the goal when she sent a shot across the front of the cage. Kelly had given Montclair State a 1-0 lead 14 minutes into the match with her second goal of the season, as she slipped a shot past Eastern junior keeper Damaly Auguste from the left side of the cage after collecting a deflected pass into the circle from senior midfielder ERIN BALINT. Montclair held advantages of 26-3 in shots and 16-1 in penalty corners. Goalkeeper ROBYN APICELLI made four saves..

The Red Hawks return to action on Sunday, Sept. 19, when they host Franklin & Marshall at 2:00 p.m. at Sprague Field.