Montclair, NJ – Junior goalkeeper HALEY MARTIN stopped six shots, including several key saves down the stretch as Montclair State picked up a big NJAC victory, knocking off Rowan University, 2-1 at MSU Soccer Park.
Sophomore AILEEN CAHILL and senior Cat Carnevale each scored goals as the Red Hawks (11-4) moved into a tie with Rowan (12-4) for second place in the conference standings at 6-2 (18 points). Both teams are one point ahead of Stockton (5-1-2) in the race for a first-round bye in the upcoming NJAC Tournament that begins on October 30.
Montclair State travels to Rutgers-Newark for its final regular-season game on Wednesday, October 27 while the Profs host Rutgers-Camden. Stockton is at No. 1-ranked The College of New Jersey.
Both teams got early opportunities with Montclair sending two shots off frame while Martin scooped up an Aidan Sheehan attempt at the 10-minute mark. Cahill would give the Red Hawks the lead five minutes later with her seventh goal of the season. Carnevale sent a low ball through into the box picked up by ZOE STECK on the right side. Steck then made a tap-pass back across to a cutting Cahill, who eluded goalkeeper Bristol Pizzuto before knocking the ball into the open net for the one-goal lead.
Rowan nearly got that goal back in the 19th minute as Emma DeMaise was taken down in the box and awarded a penalty kick. However, Martin came off the line to her right and batted away the attempt keeping the Red Hawks in front, 1-0. It was the first in-game PK save by Montclair since NICOLE CARBONE stopped an attempt against New Jersey City in 2017.
The Profs would tie in at the 31:45 mark as Sheehan sent a ball from the middle over to the left side for McErlain, who raced within 13 yards before slipping a shot past a sliding Martin for the 1-1 tie. It was McErlain's third of the year.
The match stayed that way until the 52ns minute when Carnevale was fouled outside the box. Freshman EMMI DENOVELLIS served a ball to the right side just above the six where a charging Carnevale headed it back across inside the left post for her first of the season.
The 2-1 lead for the Red Hawks would eventually hold up, but not before MSU turned away several chances by the Profs. Martin stopped Jillian Jankowski in the 58th minute and did the same to Jessica Logan four minutes later. McErlain fired a low-lining shot in the 70th minute that Martin kicked away and the Montclair defense came through with 8:48 left kicking out an attempt by Logan just before the goal line.
Rowan outshot MSU, 13-9 in the contest with each team taking two corner kicks.
