Glassboro, NJ –Freshman KAITLYN STRUSS and sophomore DANIELLE BUTRICO gave No. 13 and third-seeded Montclair State to an early two-goal lead however 18^th-ranked and second-seeded Rowan University scored the final three goals as the Profs upended the Red Hawks 3-2 in the semifinals of the NJAC Tournament on Wednesday evening.

It was the second time in 11 days that Rowan knocked off Montclair by the identical margin as the Profs advance to meet fourth-ranked and top-seeded TCNJ in Saturday's championship game in Ewing, NJ.

Montclair State will be among the teams in consideration for an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championship. The Red Hawks (14-5), were ranked fourth in the latest Regional Rankings released on Tuesday. Selections for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Sunday, November 9 in the evening.

Meeting for the second time in less than two weeks, the Profs nearly got a goal in the opening minutes as Jenna Pressler put forth a shot that was knocked away by JOELLE BUTRICO for a defensive save 2:38 into the contest.

Montclair State would grab the lead a little under nine minutes later as Struss registered her 18^th goal of the year at the 11:25 mark. GIANNA MOGLINO slid a pass of a scramble in front. MSU keeper REBECCA BRATTOLE, who made 19 saves in the first meeting, came up with one right after the goal and the Red Hawks would extend their advantage at the 15:50 mark on DANIELLE BUTRICO's putback for the 2-0 lead.

Brattole made two more saves and then came up with a huge stop on Karlee Henderson's penalty stroke with 15:51 left.  Brattole would made another stop on Sam Browne with 10 minutes remaining however the Profs would get on the board with 8:31 to play as Kellie Campbell dribbled into the circle before letting go a shot that found the back of the cage cutting the lead to 2-1.

Rowan would tie the game thanks to some late-half magic for a second time as Campbell scored again with eight ticks left in the first half. In the first meeting, the Profs tied the game with seven seconds left in regulation before winning the contest in overtime.

With the momentum shifted to Rowan, the Profs took advantage and moved in front 4:45 into the second half as Browne batted in a pass from Campbell making the score 3-2.
The Red Hawks would get their opportunities to tie the game however Profs keeper Carly DeMarco made two stops early in the second half and came with successive saves on back-to-back shots from KATIE LIPSIT with 3:26 left. DeMarco added two more saves with 1:45 remaining denying KELLY KRAMER and DANIELLE BUTRICO and added one final stop with 1:07 left.

DeMarco finished with nine saves for the Profs while Brattole had eight.

Rowan outshot Montclair State 14-11 and held a slim 10-9 advantage in penalty corners.