Montclair, NJ (09/29/04) - The Montclair State University field hockey team, ranked fifth in NCAA Division III, posted its second straight conference shutout with tonight's 4-0 whitewash of Richard Stockton College at Sprague Field.

MSU improves to 9-1 overall and 3-0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, while Stockton falls to 4-5 on the year and 0-2 in league play. MSU is also now 4-1 at home this fall, and is 3-1 on its current six-game home stand that concludes Oct. 9.

Junior forward ALEXANDRIA KELLY opened the scoring at 3:51 before setting up freshman forward JENNIFER TANIS for MSU's second goal at 6:11. Senior defender LISA SMICKLO made it 3-0 for the Red Hawks at 17:32, before classmate ERIN BALINT connected on a penalty stroke just 32 seconds later to close out the scoring.

Junior goalkeeper ROBYN APICELLI and freshman netminder JACKIE DERICCO shared the shutout for Montclair, with DeRicco playing the last 14:25 in relief and facing just one shot as the Red Hawks outshot the Ospreys, 32-1.

Sophomore backstop Caitlin Nolan collected 18 saves for Stockton, making nine stops in each half. MSU also held the edge in penalty corners on the night, 13-1, in besting Stockton for the second straight year.

Montclair will host Kean a week from tonight in an NJAC matchup, while Stockton will visit Manhattanville this coming Saturday in Purchase, NY.