Medford, MA – The Montclair State men's soccer team went from sweet to elite on Saturday afternoon as the Red Hawks topped Ramapo College 3-0 in the NCAA Division III Sectional Tournament at Tufts University.

The Red Hawks (18-1-4) defeated the Roadrunner (17-4-2) for the third time this season as it captured the Sweet 16 matchup. The victory moves MSU into the Elite 8 on Sunday, November 18 against Tufts University at 1:00 pm with the winner advancing to the Final Four in Greensboro, NC on November 30 and December 1.

Each team got early chances to no avail. MSU keeper MIKE SAALFRANK made a save against Trevor Albrecht in the 18 minute with Ramapo's Joshua Schaffer picking up a save against Terci a little more than two minutes later.

Ten minutes later Montclair would break the scoreless tie as the Roadrunners were called for a foul inside the box. Terci stepped up and buried the penalty kick giving the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead at the 31:16 mark. Ramapo tried to answer immediately but Jorge Castro's shot 15 seconds later was scooped up by Saalfrank. Schaffer also had a stop with 4:17 left before halftime denying MICHAEL KNAPP.

In the second half the Red Hawks got two early chances that were stopped as Schaffer stymied Terci each instance. Saalfrank registered another save with a stop against Albrecht in
the 53^rd minute and got another in the 64^th against Chris Nash.

Four minutes later Montclair State extended its lead as GRIFFIN BACON ripped a shot that hit the post. The junior was alert enough to follow up the shot knocking it in for his fourth goal of the year and a 2-0 advantage with 21:44 remaining.

Terci capped off the scoring with 5:04 remaining scoring his 14th goal of the season.

Saalfrank and Schaffer each finished with six saves. Saalfrank recorded his ninth shutout of the season and the 26 of his career. Montclair State outshot the Roadrunners 17-14 in the contest with Ramapo holding the 7-4 edge in corner kicks.

Next up for the Red Hawks is a matchup with the host Jumbos as the two square off in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four years. In 2015, Tufts scored twice inside the final seven minutes of regulation for a 3-2 win over MSU in the second round at MSU Soccer Park. It is the only previous meeting between the squads.