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Montclair State University Athletics

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MSU102408
1
Winner Montclair State MSU (17-0, 8-0 NJAC)
0
William Paterson WPMSOC (12-3-2, 5-2-1 NJAC)
Winner
Montclair State MSU
(17-0, 8-0 NJAC)
1
Final
0
William Paterson WPMSOC
(12-3-2, 5-2-1 NJAC)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 F
Montclair State MSU 0 0 1 1
William Paterson WPMSOC 0 0 0 0

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 4 Men's Soccer Claims NJAC Regular Season Title With 1-0 Win Over William Paterson

Wayne, NJ (10/24/08)  – Junior JOHN ESPOSITO finished a JOSEPH CULLEN pass in the 92nd minute, allowing No. 3 Montclair State (17-0, 8-0 NJAC) to escape 14th-ranked William Paterson (12-3-2, 5-2-1 NJAC) with a 1-0 overtime men's soccer victory.    

With the win, the Red Hawks secured their second regular-season league title during the last three years, and with it, the top seed for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament. Montclair State, the winner of the last two conference tourneys, will receive a first-round bye and will host a semifinal match on Tuesday, November 4.    

Cullen dribbled along the right end line and found Esposito in the middle of the six-yard box, and Esposito punched the ball home to the left side of the net to score his 11th goal of the year and his fifth game-winner.    

The Pioneers may have had the advantage in terms of energy during the first 30 minutes, but it was the Red Hawks who had the two best chances of the opening period. The first came with 7:15 remaining when senior TYLER MASTERSON fed a ball through to a sprinting AYTAC MALTA at the top of the box, but Pioneer sophomore back Matthew Heitmann slid in and tackled the ball away before Malta could attempt a shot. 

Junior MICHAEL CULLEN later found himself all alone running through the middle of the 18-yard box, but William Paterson junior goalkeeper Dan Peragallo came off his line and forced Cullen to the left, producing a shot from a tough angle that was outside the side netting of the empty goal.   

Each side had chances during the second period. MICHAEL CULLEN's clear look at the goal was snuffed out by Peragallo with 20 minutes remaining, and less than three minutes later, Peragallo again came up big with a stop after RODRIGO SANTIAGO settled a bouncing ball 10 yards in front of the goal and blasted it on the frame.    

William Paterson's best opportunities came during the final 15 minutes of the second period, the first at the 13:08 mark when sophomore Ambrogio Pipitone fought through several defenders for 25 yards up the left flank before his shot was stopped by MSU keeper NICK MELE. Sophomore Ryan Miller's back-post header also sailed wide with 5:15 to play.   

Peragallo added four saves to his excellent play in the box for William Paterson, several times cutting off crosses and punching out corner kicks. Mele made four stops for Montclair.    

The Red Hawks will finish their regular season Oct. 29 with a home match against No. 24 New Jersey City.                  
 
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