Montclair, NJ – Freshman BELLA HEISER slapped in the lone goal of the contest that helped the Montclair State field hockey team (11-4) upset #19 SUNY New Paltz (12-4), 1-0 on Tuesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks were on the attack for most of the first period. NATALIE SURMA saw two early looks in front of the cage in the first three minutes of the game but was stopped with saves from Hawk's goalkeeper Madison Orsini. New Paltz but two shots on the board in the fourth and fifth minute of the game, but one went wide and one was saved by SYDNEY WHITE. Montclair had a few more opportunities in the final five minutes of the period but were unable to find that first goal and the game went scoreless in the first.
• The lone goal of the game came at the 21:20 mark when Heiser arced a shot over the defense and Orsini and hit the top right portion of the cage to give the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead. Montclair saw two shots down the stretch in the period when GAB MAISTO had a nice look, but had her shot saved while SADIE EICHLIN tried to imitate Heiser and sky one over but it went high of the cage. SUNY New Paltz collected a late penalty corner as time was about to expire in the second period and got a shot off, but it was blocked and the score remained 1-0 going into the third period.
• It was New Paltz who controlled all of the offense in the third period, notching three shots and holding Montclair to zero. They were not able to find that equalizer though, with two shots being saved by White and one going wide.
• The fourth period both teams saw two opportunities to try and put in another goal. The Hawks recorded two shots in the 48^th minute, one went wid and the other was stopped by White. Looking for that second goal, TORI SUTERA almost had a clean look at a goal, but a defensive save from Morgan Wooley kept the lead at one. That shot was followed Surma taking a shot wide. The Red Hawks defense held strong down the stretch and walked away with another home win.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• This was the second time this season the Red Hawks defeated a NFHCA Top 25 team that matched their 1-0 win in September against #24 Stevens.
• Montclair became the only team to shutout New Paltz this year. New Paltz entered this game with the highest scoring offense and player in the nation.
• The Red Hawks keep their home winning streak alive, moving it to 8-0 on the year. They have yet to lose a game on Sprague Field since September 30 of 2023.
• Heiser notched her second goal of the season and tallied her first game-winner.
• White made six saves and earned her 10^th win of the season.

 
From the Field

"Proud is an understatement for tonight's team win. Shout out to our defensive unit for shutting down D3's leading goal scorer and shutting out one of the most efficient attacking teams in D3 this season. I thought we did a great job taking risks on attack and it showed in the breakout that created Bella's game winning goal. We're looking forward to welcoming New Paltz to NJAC field hockey in 2026." - Head Coach Eileen O'Reilly
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State will honor their four seniors before their home NJAC matchup against Kean on Saturday, October 26 at 4:00pm