Newark, NJ – Sophomore
TARA LAMBERT came up with perhaps the most important goal of the season for Montclair State thus far as the Red Hawks blanked Rutgers-Newark, 1-0 at Alumni Field on Wednesday evening.
Lambert's goal not only provided the difference in the game, but also helped MSU (12-4) clinch the No. 2 seed in the NJAC Tournament, which begins on Saturday, October 30. Montclair will receive a bye through quarterfinal action and host a semifinal at MSU Soccer Park on Tuesday, November 2.
NJAC Defensive Player of the Week HALEY MARTIN recorded her second shutout of the season as the Red Hawks extended their winning streak to five while beating the Scarlet Raiders (9-5-3, 2-5-2 NJAC) for the sixth consecutive meeting. MSU leads the all-time series, 22-1.
The Red Hawks entered the day tied with Rowan for the No. 2 position in the conference standings and needed either a win or loss by Rowan, who faced Rutgers-Camden in their finale, 90 minutes prior to the start of the MSU-Rutgers-Newark contest. The Profs battled back from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Raptors, 3-2 meaning Montclair needed a victory to keep pace, as it owned the tiebreaker with the Profs by virtue of its 2-1 win at home last Saturday.
In the first half, Montclair State outshot the Scarlet Raiders, 7-2, including the only three attempts on frame. KERRI DRISCOLL sent a shot in the seventh minute stopped by Katie McLaughlin who corralled a SAMANTHA GABRIELE shot in the 41st minute. NIKI DANZ got the last one with 1:35 left, but that was also scooped up by McLaughlin as the first half ended the same way it began – scoreless.
McLaughlin continued stymie the Red Hawks making two saves within the first three minutes of the second half. The first came against SOFIA AMBROSIO with the second against SAMANTHA HOWARD.
The Red Hawks finally broke through at the 59:30 mark as Rutgers-Newark committed a foul leading to a free kick that Lambert set up for on the low right side. The sophomore then sent a ball toward the goal that found its way through a scrum of players in the box and into the back of the net for a 1-0 MSU lead. It was Lambert's third goal of the season.
The Montclair State defense would make that one-goal margin stand, as it did not allow a shot over the final 30:30 of the contest.
MSU outshot Rutgers-Newark, 19-3 and took all four corner kicks in the match.
