Montclair, NJ – The #12 Montclair State University men's soccer team concludes its season opening Massachusetts road swing against Babson on Sunday afternoon.

GAME INFO
Kickoff from Babson Park, MA is scheduled for 1:00 PM, with live stats and video links available on montclairathletics.com.

LAST TIME OUT
Montclair fell to Wheaton 2-1 in their season opener on Friday, August 30. The Lyons struck first in the 21st minute following a long cross from midfield into the box that was settled and fired into the far right corner of the net. Wheaton doubled their advantage in the fourth minute of the second half following a centering cross that was sent with a first touch into the right side of the net in front of goal. Following a foul in the box, OSBIN MENDEZ tucked a penalty kick attempt just inside the left post for Montclair's first goal of the campaign. Both sides tightened up defensively, as they combined for one shot over the remaining 30 minutes of the second half.

TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (0-1-0)
Goals: OSBIN MENDEZ, 1
Assists: N/A
Points: OSBIN MENDEZ, 2
Shots: OSBIN MENDEZ, 3
Saves: ALEXANDER VELASQUEZ, 3
Wins: N/A
 
BABSON (0-0-1)
Goals: N/A
Assists: N/A
Points: N/A
Shots: Two Tied at 4
Saves: Walker White, 1
Wins: N/A

SCOUTING BABSON
The Beavers opened their season with a scoreless draw against Saint Joseph's Maine on Friday, August 30. Babson will look to build off their 2023 campaign in which they compiled a 11-4-7 record, including an undefeated 5-0-3 mark in conference play. After ending the regular season on a 10-game unbeaten streak, the Beavers took down Wheaton 1-0 in the NEWMAC Tournament Semifinals before falling in penalty kicks to WPI in the Final. Babson earned an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament, where they fell in double overtime to Johns Hopkins 4-3. They were voted first in the 2024 NEWMAC Preseason Coaches Poll and received four first place votes.

SERIES HISTORY
Montclair and Babson have met twice in their history, as the two sides played to a 2-2 draw in September of 2004, with the only other contest coming during the 2023 season, where the Red Hawks pulled off a dramatic 2-1 victory in the final minutes.

LAST MEETING
The Red Hawks edged Babson 2-1 on September 8, 2023 at MSU Soccer Park. Montclair broke the scoring open in the 77th minute, as IAN CHESNEY sent a long ball in that was corralled by ANTHONY VIOLA, who weaved into the box and laid a pass off for AMER LUKOVIC. The striker took two touches and ripped a shot near-post. After Babson equalized, the Red Hawks retook the advantage with 1:16 on the clock. OSBIN MENDEZ had a service off a corner trickle just in front of goal, regained possession of the ball, and booted a left-footed cross that ENIR RADONCIC headed into the back of the net.

UP NEXT
The Red Hawks will return home to face the Milwaukee School of Engineering on Friday, September 6. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:00 PM.