Pittsburgh, PA – The Montclair State University men's soccer team notched its third consecutive shutout victory on Saturday, defeating Carnegie Mellon 2-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (3-2-1) opened the contest with the first five shots including an attempt from OSBIN MENDEZ towards the top of the net that had to be saved by the Tartans goalkeeper. 
• The two sides traded shots on goal over a three minute span towards the halfway point of the stanza, as ALEXANDER VELASQUEZ collected a shot towards the bottom center of goal, and Mendez had another shot on frame that was saved.
• Montclair broke through in the 35th minute, as CHRIS FONTANAZZA and ANTHONY VIOLA played a give-and-go 40 yards out, and Viola then played a forward pass between defenders to SAMUEL EPITIME. The midfielder placed a one-touch shot around the keeper on the ground to give the Red Hawks the lead.
• The Red Hawks doubled their advantage three minutes into the second half, as Mendez played a diagonal ball in the air to the corner of the 18-yard box to Epitime, who settled and volleyed it into the far corner of the net.
• Montclair continued to apply offensive pressure, as Fontanazza placed a shot on goal in the 61st minute that had to be saved in the bottom right of the net. Velasquez tallied two saves over the remainder of the contest to seal the road victory for the Red Hawks.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Epitime recorded his first brace of the season, increasing his goal total to a team-leading five. He has scored in four of Montclair's six contests this season, and has tallied the game-winning goal in back-to-back contests.
• Viola and Fontanazza each notched the third assist of their collegiate careers on Montclair's opening goal. Mendez collected his team-leading fourth assist, bringing his total to 14 for his tenure with the Red Hawks.
• Velasquez gathered two saves in the shutout victory, his third straight in net for Montclair. The streak is the longest since SHANE KEENAN put together three-straight clean sheets during the 2023 season.
• Montclair has not allowed a goal in 324 minutes of play dating back to September 6, their longest streak since October 18-25 of the 2023 campaign.
• The Red Hawks have won three straight games and are unbeaten in their last four, outscoring opponents 7-1 during that stretch.

FROM THE FIELD

"It is always tough going up against a UAA opponent. As we continue to challenge ourselves with a tough out of conference schedule, I like the strides we are making each and every time we go out." - Head Coach Todd Tumelty

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will travel to Vassar on Saturday, September 21, with kickoff from Poughkeepsie, NY scheduled for 1:00 PM.