Montclair, NJ (09/04/04) --- The Montclair State University men's soccer team opened its 2004 season today with a 2-0 victory over Skidmore (NY) College at MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field. The victory, which came in the first round of the 2004 Wellesley Inn Cup, leaves MSU at 1-0 overall and Skidmore at 1-1. MSU can win the Cup tomorrow with a victory over Babson (MA), which defeated William Paterson today, 1-0.

Montclair junior defender MIKE HOGAN opened the scoring 33:50 into the game, converting a penalty kick after Skidmore was charged with a hand ball in the box. Hogan's ensuing shot went low to the right–hand corner of the net, past the lunge of Skidmore senior goalkeeper Rollie Kielman.

The Red Hawks then increased their advantage with less than three minutes remaining in the first half as senior midfielder ANDREW MACHO chipped a crossing pass from freshman defender SHELDON WILSON past Kielman at the left post at 42:44. Sophomore defender BILL ANTHES also assisted on the play for Montclair State. The Red Hawks outshot the Thoroughbreds, 10-8, and had five corner kicks to Skidmore's three. Kielman finished with four saves for the Thoroughbreds, while junior netminder CHRIS OWEN, who missed last season with an injury, had three stops for MSU in notching his 11th career shutout. Each team finished with nine fouls.

Montclair State hosts Babson College tomorrow at 1:00 p.m., while Skidmore visits William Paterson at 2:00 p.m. to close out the tournament. MSU is seeking its unprecedented third straight Wellesley Inn/Ramada Inn/Howard Johnson Cup and its fifth overall, having also won in 1998 and 2000.