Montclair, NJ – The top-ranked The College of New Jersey knocked off the Montclair State women's soccer team 3-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play at MSU Soccer Park Saturday.
The Red Hawks (7-3-0, 3-1-0 NJAC) received a goal from
SOFIA AMBROSIO in the setback. The Lions (9-0-0, 4-0-0 NJAC) outshot Montclair 17-9 on the day.
The Lions nearly got on the board in the seventh minute, but Nikki Butler's shot deflected off the right post and was cleared away by the Red Hawk defenders. Montclair State tallied the first goal, which started off a throw-in by
TARA LAMBERT. Lambert found
AILEEN CAHILL, who sent a cross into the box that was headed in by Ambrosio. The goal marked only the second one that the Lions had surrendered all season and was the first time they trailed in a match.
Goalkeeper
HALEY MARTIN pushed a shot by Amelia Curtis over the bar, and it went for a corner kick in the 15th minute. Curtis served in a ball off the ensuing corner that Butler headed in to level the game at one. Sophomore
LAUREN ERNST had a try in the 29th minute, but her low shot trickled just wide of the post. The Lions grabbed their first lead of the game off a long shot from Victoria D'Imperio in the 32nd minute.
The Lions continued to apply pressure, and right before halftime, they were able to double their advantage. This time, it was Jessica O'Brien who fired who distance with a shot that Martin couldn't stop to give the guests a 3-1 lead entering halftime.
ZOE STECK had a partial break-in in the 49th minute, but keeper Alexandra Panasuk dove to her left to deny the opportunity.
LINDSAY FREEWALT, who entered at halftime, kept the Red Hawks in the match with saves in the 59th and 60th, but the Red Hawks were unable to find a goal. Off a free-kick, Ambrosio took an attempt that just went high over the crossbar. That would be the Red Hawks' best chance, as the Lions claimed the 3-1 victory.
Ambrosio led the way with three shots, while Martin and Freewalt each made four saves. Panasuk made a pair of stops in the victory for TCNJ.
The Red Hawks hit the road next Saturday to head to Galloway, NJ, to face Stockton at 1 pm.
