Montclair, NJ – Junior attack DAN BELLEZZA scored with 5:23 remaining swinging the pendulum in Montclair State's favor one last time as the Red Hawks edged previously unbeaten Merchant Marine Academy, 13-12 at Sprague Field on Wednesday evening.

Bellezza was one of five Red Hawks to score twice as MSU netted the final two goals to up their record to 5-4 on the season while the Mariners (9-1) their first loss. Jack Renard had four goals for USMMA.

Merchant Marine led 3-1 late in the first quarter before Montclair knotted the game up at 4-4 on a goal by ROB PAPA with 10:40 to go before halftime. A two-goal swing gave MSU its first lead at 6-5 however Nick Roros connected with 4:44 remaining forging a third tie at 6-6.

The Red Hawks' SKYLER FRANCISCO beat the first-half horn sending MSU into the break up a goal and Montclair opened the second half with two goals as MATT HAEMMERLE scored he first and assisted on the second for a 9-6 advantage with 11:01 in the third. USMMA countered with four of the next five goals deadlocking the contest at 10-10 on a Renard tally with four minutes in the third.
Haemmerle's second with 26 ticks left got Montclair back in front but Roros retied the game 21 seconds later.

Pat Coll connected on a man-up opportunity 25 seconds into the fourth giving the Mariners the lead back. MSU goalkeeper MATTHEW MCLAREN made a pair of saves to keep the deficit at a goal before SEAN STADTLANDER forged the xx tie at 12-12 with 6:39. USMMA won the ensuing faceoff but turned it back over to Montclair which took advantage scoring the go-ahead goal by Bellezza.

The Mariners, who were 21-of-27 at the "X" on the evening, won the faceoff and fired off three shots. McLaren denied each attempt keeping the Red Hawks in front. MSU was able to run time off the clock but gave Merchant Marine a final chance with 1:20 remaining. USMMA however committed a turnover on the clear. JOSEPH DIANTONIO scooped up the ground ball with 52 seconds and after moving into the attack zone, the Red Hawks ran out the clock.

Francisco, Stadtlander and BRYAN PETERS all had two goals as eight different players scored for Montclair State. McLaren made a season-high 15 saves while DiAntonio registered five ground balls along with a pair of caused turnovers.

MSU is back in action on Saturday, April 14 as it heads to Washington, DC for a 1:00 pm matchup at Catholic University.