Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University field hockey team topped Kean 2-1 on Senior Day at Sprague Field on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (12-4, 4-1 NJAC) put together back-to-back shots on goal in the eighth minute, as EMMA BIANCO and BELLA HEISER registered opportunities over a 12-second span. Two minutes later, Kean saw a shot on frame parried away from SYDNEY WHITE to keep the game scoreless at the end of one quarter.
• KELLY WESTERVELT opened the second frame with a shot 58 seconds in, but the Cougars blocked it away. With under three minutes before the break, DARBY VON BERG saw an attempt saved by Kean, but Montclair broke through a minute after to take the lead. JOEY MAYER surged up the far side of the field and slid a pass to Westervelt, who tapped a shot that rolled past the keeper to give the Red Hawks the lead.
• White notched a save early on in the third quarter, and Montclair stood strong defensively a minute later as they forced a shot from Kean wide. The Red Hawks looked to double the advantage, but the Cougars held the home side without a shot in the frame to keep the margin at one.
• In the 55th minute, NATALIE SURMA sent the ball in from a penalty corner to KYLIE COMPTON, who played a pass to SADIE EICHLIN on the far side of the field. Eichlin ripped a shot that sailed through the defense and into the cage to double the lead for Montclair. The Cougars made a push late to try and cut into the deficit, and were awarded a penalty stroke that they converted in the 57th minute to make it a one-goal contest. The Red Hawks did not allow a shot the rest of the way to seal the victory. 

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• With the victory, Montclair clinched a spot in the 2024 New Jersey Athletic Conference Field Hockey Tournament, which will begin on Wednesday, November 6.
• The Red Hawks improved to 9-0 at home this season and have not lost a game at Sprague Field since September 30, 2023.
• Montclair's nine home wins are the most since the 2016 season, when they went 10-1.
• At 4-1 in New Jersey Athletic Conference play, the Red Hawks have their most wins in conference play since 2018 with one game remaining within league play.
• Westervelt's goal was her second of the season and fifth of her career, with Mayer picking up her third assist of her first collegiate season, tied for third on the team.
• The goal for Eichlin was her third of the campaign, ranking second on the team. Compton notched her first assist of the year and second of her Montclair tenure.
• White notched two saves in goal for the Red Hawks en route to her 11th victory in the cage, the most by a Montclair goalkeeper since Nicole Andriani in 2018.

FROM THE FIELD

"We are so proud of our 2024 senior class, Alexa, Gab, Kylie, and Tori. Beating Kean on their senior night is so rewarding and a direct reflection of their hard work and commitment to Montclair field hockey. This senior group has demonstrated the highest levels of resilience throughout their careers. They have helped redefine our team culture in many positive ways and their legacy is inspirational for our program. We are looking forward to the final week of the regular season and we are focused on continuing to pursue our team goals in NJAC play." - Head Coach Eileen O'Reilly

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will remain home to face Union College on Wednesday, October 30, with game time scheduled for 6:00 PM.