Montclair, NJ (11/9/05) – Sophomore JENNIFER TANIS and senior ALEXANDRIA KELLY each scored a goal as Montclair State knocked off Washington & Lee University,2-0, in the opening round of the 2005 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship at Sprague Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Red Hawks (17-2), making their second NCAA appearance, now advance to the second round where they will face William Smith College on Friday, November 11 in a regional semifinal at Messiah College. Messiah will face Alvernia in the other semifinal with the winners meeting in the regional final on Saturday, November 12. The regional winners advance to the Final Four, which will be held November 18-19 at Washington& Lee University in Lexington, VA.

"Even though we've been here before, this is still a new experience for us," said MSU head coach Beth Gottung, who led the Red Hawks to the second round of the 2003 tournament. "Once we were able to get the first goal we were able to settle down. We got a lot of opportunities and the did a great job defensively."

Courtney Harrison made seven saves for the Generals, who finished their season at 15-6.Washington & Lee was making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

In a scoreless first half, Montclair State threatened often with 10 shots, including a trio of attempts by Kelly, who was denied three times by Harrison, who also thwarted a shot by JEN SOSS. The Generals had just one opportunity and nearly made the most of it as Kendall Korte's blast was kicked away by MSU goalkeeper ROBYN APICELLI. Midway through the period, Tanis deflected a shot that appeared headed for a goal however defender S.B. Northern made a stick save on the goal line to keep the game scoreless.

 Montclair State would finally break through with 31 seconds remaining before halftime. Off a penalty corner, Soss let go a shot that Tanis redirected into the lower right corner her 10th tally of the season.

In the second half, the Red Hawks kept the pressure up getting nine shots and nine penalty corners but the W&L defense came up big plays, including Northen, who collected her second defensive save at the 47:59 mark. Eight minutes later,MSU would again find the back of the cage. Off the corner, JESS ROSEWALL flipped a shot that Liz Garson made an outstanding defensive save on. The ball then bounced back out in front to Kelly,who tapped in the loose ball for her team-leading 14th goal of the year.

Apicelli made two saves as she recorded her ninth shutout of the season. Elise Gelinas had three saves in the final 35 minutes for Washington & Lee.