Whittier, CA (2/27/05) - Senior attacker KEVIN GONDRES scored four and added an assist, however, it wasn't enough as the Montclair State men's lacrosse team opened its 2005 season with a 12-9 loss to perennial NCAA participant Whittier College late Saturday evening/early Sunday morning.

Freshman goalkeeper THOMAS BOWERS had 34 saves in his collegiate debut for the Red Hawks (0-1), who led 8-7 late in the third before for the Poets scored five consecutive goals bridging the third and fourth quarters. Whittier was a 2003 Final Four participant and reached the second round of last year's NCAA Division III Tournament.

Montclair State took an 8-7 lead with 6:42 to play in the third period as BRIAN FISCHER scored the second of his two goals. However, Whittier would tie the game with 4:19 to play as Dave Gerbarg scored unassisted. The Poets then took the lead with 1:47 remaining before the end of the period when Alan Christiani took a feed from Bruce Olson and scored past Bowers giving the Poets a 9-8 lead at the end of three quarters.

Alex Chaundrey extended the lead to 10-8 with 12:39 to play in the fourth quarter as he scored his third goal of the contest. Christiani tallied his second of the game just over two minutes later for make the score 11-8 and Jordan Barber capped the run with a tally at 2:35. JAMES KOLE would get Montclair within 12-9 with 1:52 left.

Brad Sullenberger made 15 saves for Whittier, which outshot Montclair State, 35-25 in the contest.

Kole finished with two goals and an assist while Steve LoVecchio added a goal.

Montclair State returns to action on Wednesday, March 2 as they host Haverford College in their home opener at Sprague Field (weather permitting). Face off is scheduled for 4:30 pm. Last year, MSU went 9-1 at home, including a pair of wins in the ECAC Tournament en route to its second Division III Metro championship.