Montclair, NJ – Sophomore midfielder BRENT LLEWELLYN scored from three yards out with four minutes remaining in the first half as Montclair State locked up a first-round bye in the upcoming NJAC Tournament with a 1-0 victory over Kean University on Wednesday evening.

The Red Hawks (14-4-1, 6-2-1) registered their fourth straight victory as it clinched the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament which begins on Saturday, November 2. MSU, the defending champion will host a semifinal contest on Wednesday, November 6 against the winner of Saturday's first-round contest between No. 3 Rutgers-Camden and sixth-seeded Stockton.

Both teams had chances early in the match however each attempt was denied as Kean's Dillon Konzelmann stopped three in the first 13 minutes with the Red Hawks' DEAN DEPINTO making two. Late in the period, Montclair would move the ball down inside the box with Bobev settling loose ball near the right post. He flipped a pass back in front to Llewellyn who knocked the feed three yards back inside the right post for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead with four minutes to play before halftime.

In the second half, Kean would outshoot Montclair 10-5 and nearly got the tying goal early as a loose ball caromed around the box and headed toward goal before it was kicked away by a Montclair State defender.

DePinto and Konzelmann traded saves before Kean got two golden opportunities to tie the game inside the final 10 minutes.

The first came on a shot from the right side by Felix Pereyra that came within inches of crossing the goal line only to be swept away by the Red Hawks' IAN JOHNSON in the 83^rd minute. After DePinto saved a Shervand Hippolyte attempt a minute later, Max Acosta sent a shot from the left side that made it way through a crowded box toward the far post. Fortunately for the Red Hawks, DAMIAN KOLODZIEJ was there to flick the ball away keeping Montclair State in front.

The Cougars (9-6-3, 3-3-3 NJAC) got one last chance with 1:19 left but DePinto came up with a save against Christian Estemera.

DePinto finished with five saves as he registered his second shutout of the season. Konzelmann posted seven saves for Kean, which outshot MSU 18-11 in addition to holding a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.