Union, NJ – Ja'Carra Jackson recorded a goal and assist as Kean University knocked off Montclair State, 4-2 in the season opener for both teams at Alumni Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Lia DiPiazza, Bridget Naylor and Krista O'Grady each had a goal for the Cougars (1-0, 1-0 NJAC), who posted their second straight and third victory in the last four meetings with the Red Hawks (0-1, 0-1 NJAC).

Senior ELIZABETH CIMILLUCA had a hand in both Montclair State goals, scoring once and assisting on the other. Freshman CARLIE VAN TASSEL scored in her collegiate debut.

Kean jumped on the board six minutes into the contest as DiPiazza dribbled in toward the cage before knocking in a shot past MSU keeper LAUREN PICKUL, who kept the Cougars from adding to the lead five minutes later with a trio of saves.

Leading by a goal in the second, Kean added to the lead capitalizing on a penalty corner. Jackson set up Grady for the goal giving the Cougars a two-goal margin with 4:10 to go before halftime.

The 2-0 score would hold up until late in the third when Montclair cut the deficit in half. Cimilluca sent a quick pass to Van Tassel, who won the one-on-one battle with the keeper for the goal with 2:31 left in the period. Kean answered 71 seconds later as Naylor tipped in a shot by Morgan Stump putting the Cougars up 3-1.

Jackson made it a 4-1 advantage with just over seven minutes to play as she banged in a cross from Jorja Hibschman. Montclair State answered with Cimilluca's goal off a feed from Van Tassel with 5:52 remaining. But that would be as close as the Red Hawks would get.

Pickul had 12 saves for MSU. JANELL HARDEN recorded a defensive save.

Montclair is off until next Wednesday, March 17 when it hosts the very same Kean team in a 7:30 pm matchup at Sprague Field.