Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University field hockey team opens their 2024 campaign on Friday as they take on #15 Cortland.

GAME INFO
Game time from Cortland, NY is scheduled for 12:00 PM, with live stats and video links available on montclairathletics.com.

2023 REWIND
Montclair opened the campaign with wins in two of their first three contests, taking down Gwynedd Mercy 4-0 and edging DeSales 2-1 in double overtime. The Red Hawks earned their third win of the season at Muhlenberg, scoring the go-ahead marker with 3:45 remaining. They took down FDU-Florham a week later at home, 4-1, and would later close the season winning four of their last five, including a season-concluding 1-0 victory over TCNJ.

TEAM LEADERS (2023)
MONTCLAIR STATE
Goals: CARLIE VAN TASSEL, 8
Assists: CARLY AMERMAN, 6
Points: CARLIE VAN TASSEL, 18
Shots: Two Tied at 38
Saves: MCKENNA LAMAN, 66
 
CORTLAND
Goals: Gianna Trunfio, 21
Assists: Two Tied at 8
Points: Gianna Trunfio, 44
Shots: Keirra Ettere, 98
Saves: Emma Morgan, 64

SCOUTING CORTLAND
The Dragons amassed an 18-2 record during the 2023 season, including a perfect 6-0 mark in conference play. After knocking off Brockport and New Paltz in the SUNYAC Tournament, Cortland defeated Stevens in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Messiah three days later. They have collected 10 or more wins in each of their last nine seasons and have qualified for the NCAA Tournament three times during that stretch. Cortland was selected first in the 2024 SUNYAC Preseason Coaches Poll, receiving 16 points. 

SERIES HISTORY
Montclair leads the all-time series against Cortland 7-6, including seven straight from 2012-19. The Red Hawks are 4-2 on the road against the Dragons, with their most recent clash being a 2-0 victory in September of 2019. Montclair enjoyed its best defensive stretch against Cortland from 2015-19, when the Red Hawks notched four consecutive shutouts against the Dragons.

LAST MEETING
The Red Hawks fell to Cortland 4-2 in the 2023 season opener on September 1, 2023. After falling behind 3-0 at halftime, Montclair tallied a pair of goals in 90 seconds to trim the gap to one. CARLIE VAN TASSEL deflected home a CARLY AMERMAN shot off a corner before GAB MAISTO converted a penalty stroke. Cortland notched a goal in the fourth quarter to extend the lead back to two, which they would hold the rest of the way.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will host Marywood in their home opener on Sunday, September 1. Game time from Sprague Field is scheduled for 12:00 pm.