Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University women's soccer team blanked Stockton 1-0 to clinch the third seed in the 2024 New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament on Saturday night at MSU Soccer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (8-5-5, 5-2-1 NJAC) opened the contest with a shot on goal from MACKENZIE ALBERT 33 seconds in, but Stockton collected the shot at the bottom center portion of the net. The Ospreys answered with two shots of their own over the next 12 minutes that both had to be saved by SALANGE BELL.
• Montclair continued to push for the night's opening goal, as EMMI DENOVELLIS and AILEEN CAHILL each saw shots saved by the Ospreys. After Bell came up with another save in the 35th minute, the home side made one final push to take a lead into the half, as MADELINE LESICA saw a shot towards the top of goal saved with 90 seconds on the clock.
• Coming out of the break, the Red Hawks outshot the Ospreys 5-1 over the opening 17 minutes, including four on target. After SHANNON MULLINS saw an attempt stopped, Stockton pushed to notch a shot on goal 30 seconds later that had to be collected by Bell.
• Montclair broke through for the game's only goal in the 66th minute, as JULIE BAKER collected a pass from MACKENZIE ALBERT along the far side of the field. The defender pushed ahead and then played a long ball into the box to the feet of KYLIE PRENDERGAST, who tucked a shot past the keeper and into the far corner of the net.
• The Red Hawks allowed only two shots the rest of the way as they tightened up defensively, with Bell tallying another save in the 84th minute to preserve the lead. Montclair had a shot on from Albert saved, as the night ended with a one-goal victory for the home side.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• The Red Hawks finished their regular season home slate undefeated at 6-0-2, which marked the second time since the 2014 campaign in which Montclair ended the regular season unbeaten at MSU Soccer Park, joining the 2020 season.
• With the victory, Montclair clinched the third seed in the 2024 NJAC Women's Soccer Tournament, and will host an opening round game on Saturday, November 2, with the opponent and time to be determined.
• Prendergast notched her fifth goal of the campaign and has scored in each of Montclair's last three contests. She now has 23 goals for her collegiate career. Baker tallied her third assist of her tenure with the Red Hawks and first this season.
• Bell finished the night with five saves in goal for Montclair, marking the sixth time this season she has tallied five or more stops. She earned her sixth shutout of the season and second in as many contests.

FROM THE FIELD

"That's the best win of the year for us so far. I thought that this group has played really well consistently and sometimes haven't gotten it over the line. Tonight we did a great job getting the goal and then making it stand up. It was a full team effort, and I'm very excited to see if we can build upon it." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will conclude the regular season on Wednesday, October 30, as they travel to face Rutgers-Camden, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.