Montclair, NJ – Freshman MEGAN MAHLSTADT scored three times and collected an assist as Montclair State used a strong first half in a 13-9 win over in-state rival FDU-Florham on Saturday afternoon .

Seniors AVIANA PARAGGIO and LINDSAY LARE each scored three times as the Red Hawks used a pair of spurts at the beginning and end of the first to move to 7-2 on the year.  MSU also improved to 9-6 overall in the all-time series with the Devils (5-3), including wins in each of the last six contests.

MSU jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first eight minutes of the game as Verrone scored twice with Paraggio and Lare connecting once. FDU-Florham responded with three in a row however that was answered with a five-goal run by Montclair to close the half.

Paraggio started things off with 11:39 to play and CHELSEA ORBAN fed KYLE GRAVER for the next goal three minutes later making the score 6-3. Orban got one of her own with 2:44 remaining and the Red Hawks added two more in the final 76 seconds of the opening half. Mahlstadt had the last one with 18 ticks sending Montclair into the locker room up 9-3.

Mahlstadt would score to open the second half assisted on Lare's score with 25:20 left giving MSU an 11-4 lead. FDU-Florham scored next three to get within five however Mahlstadt and Lare connected 23 seconds apart restoring the lead to 13-7 with 10:32 left.

Orban finished with a goal and assist while FRANCESCA VERRONE added two goals, two assists, five caused turnovers and three ground balls. Lare added seven draws and four ground balls to complete her afternoon with EMILY WONG forcing five turnovers and scooping up six ground balls. Goalkeeper AMANDA MAGUIRE stopped five shots and totaled six ground balls.

The Red Hawks are now off until Saturday, April 8 when it heads to Ewing, NJ for its NJAC opener against No. 2 The College of New Jersey at 1:00 pm.