Newark, NJ – Montclair State suffered a hit in its chances of making the NJAC Tournament on Saturday as the Red Hawks fell at No. 7 Rutgers-Newark, 1-0.

Stefano Muniz scored 1:42 into the second half which turned out to be the only goal as the Scarlet Raiders (17-2, 7-1 NJAC) stayed on top of the league standings and inched closer toward earning the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.

Meanwhile, the Red Hawks (12-5-1, 3-4-1 NJAC) are currently on the outside-looking-in. MSU currently sits in seventh place, one point behind Stockton University. Montclair needs to win its final conference regular-season game against New Jersey City at home on Wednesday, October 29 to have any chance and then scoreboard watch as several scenarios could help lift MSU into the tournament.

Montclair, whose four league losses have all come by a one-goal margin, has not missed the NJAC Tournament since 2002.

Muniz snapped the scoreless tie early in the second half as the ball deflected over to him. He took several touches before ripping a shot from 22 yards out into the upper left corner for his fifth goal of the year.

MIKE SAALFRANK made six saves for MSU.