Montclair, NJ (8/31/07) – Sophomore midfielder JOHN ESPOSITO (Hillside, NJ/Hillside) scored once and assisted on another as Montclair State, ranked 14th by both the NSCAA and D3Kicks.com blanked Wilkes University, 3-0 in the LaQuinta Inn Cup at MSU Soccer Park on Friday evening. The game marked the season opener for both teams.

Freshmen CHRIS EDELSCHEIN (Medford, NJ/ Shawnee) and MIKE KROL (Howell, NJ Howell) each scored their first collegiate goals as the Red Hawks won for the 21 st time in their last 23 games. Last season, Montclair, which has won the LaQuinta Inn Cup in each of the last five seasons, went 20-1-1 en route to capturing the NJAC Championship and advancing to the "Sweet 16" of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

TJ Baloga (Wilkes-Barre, PA/Coughlin) made seven saves for Wilkes (0-1), which fell to MontclairS tate by the identical 3-0 score last season.

Following a scoreless first half, the Red Haws got on the board 3:21 into the second half as Esposito scored off an assist from OWEN NICHOLS (Princeton, NJ/ Princeton). Off a corner kick, Nichols lofted a pass from the left side that Esposito pulled out of the air before rifling a shot past an out-of-position Baloga. MSU would extend the lead to two goals just over two minutes later. This time Esposito pushed through a ball to a cutting Edelschein, who took on Baloga one-on-on before tucking a shot into the lower right post for a 2-0 Montclair advantage.

Montclair 's final goal game with 4:37 left in the game as Krol corralled a loose ball and drove on net outlasting a defender before beating Baloga on the low right side.

Junior goalkeeper NICK MELE (Delran, NJ/Delran) made four saves for the Red Hawks, who held a 13-9 advantage in shots. Wilkes had six of the 11 corner kicks in the contest.

Both teams continue action in the LaQuinta Inn Cup on Saturday, September 1. Wilkes will take on co-host William Paterson at 1:00 pm in Wayne, NJ while Montclair State faces Misericorida University at 2:00 pm at MSU Soccer Park. Misericordia edged WPU, 2-1 in the other game of the LaQuinta Inn Cup on Friday.