Montclair, NJ – The #12 Montclair State University men's soccer team opens its 2024 season against Wheaton (MA) on Friday.

GAME INFO
Kickoff from Norton, MA is scheduled for 3:00 PM, with live stats and video links available on montclairathletics.com.

2023 REWIND
Montclair opened the campaign with five-consecutive victories, outscoring opponents 17-2. After a draw against Vassar, they rattled off four-straight wins to close out the first month of the season. The Red Hawks won six out of eight games in the month of October, including a 4-1 road victory at Rowan. In the NJAC Tournament Semifinals, they netted a goal as time expired to vault Montclair past Stockton, setting up a championship rematch with Rowan. The Red Hawks surged past the Profs 4-2 to clinch the conference title, and won back-to-back games over Elmira and Christopher Newport the following week in the opening weekend of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

TEAM LEADERS (2023)
MONTCLAIR STATE
Goals: AMER LUKOVIC, 34
Assists: OSBIN MENDEZ, 8
Points: AMER LUKOVIC, 75
Shots: AMER LUKOVIC, 138
Saves: SHANE KEENAN, 56
Wins: SHANE KEENAN, 17
 
WHEATON
Goals: Alberto Franceschi, 4
Assists: Joey Everett, 5
Points: Alberto Franceschi, 10
Shots: Luke Strange, 51
Saves: Michael O'Gara, 68
Wins: Michael O'Gara, 8

SCOUTING WHEATON
The Lyons collected an 8-5-6 record during the 2023 campaign, including five conference victories. They closed the regular season with wins in five of their last six, posting four shutouts during that span. In the opening round of the NEWMAC Championship Tournament, they cruised past Springfield 4-0 before falling to Babson 1-0 in the semifinals. Wheaton was voted third in the 2024 NEWMAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving two first place votes after returning a pair of All-Region honorees on their backline that allowed 0.63 goals per game.

SERIES HISTORY
Montclair and Wheaton will meet for the first time on Friday afternoon.

LAST MEETING
Friday's game will mark the first all-time between the two sides.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will conclude their Massachusetts road swing on Sunday, September 1, as they travel to face Babson. Kickoff from Babson Park, MA is scheduled for 1:00 PM.