Montclair, NJ – Senior TORI SUTERA scored the lone goal of the contest and put in perhaps the biggest goal of the season thus far the Montclair State University Field Hockey team (7-1) as that goal helped them knock off nationally-ranked #24 Stevens (5-3), 1-0 on Wednesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first period saw both teams exchange two shots apiece with the Red Hawks taking four penalty corners to the Ducks two. The best opportunity of the game came within the first minute and a half of the game when KASEY WATSON put a shot on goal but it was saved by Stevens' goalkeeper Lily Wierzbicki. The Ducks had two shots on goal during the period but both were stuffed by SYDNEY WHITE and the score remained scoreless after one.
• Montclair outshot the Ducks 3-1 in the second period but were still unable to find the back of the cage. Sutera and Watson both put shots on cage while NATALIE SURMA shot one wide. The only shot for the Ducks was blocked and the game remained at a standstill into the second half
• The Red Hawks' defense was a brick wall in the second half, allowing zero shots down the stretch. The game-winner was found in the third period at the 34:48 mark when a scrum in front of the Ducks' cage found its way to Sutera, who played it off the defender and tapped it into the lower right portion of the cage to take the 1-0 advantage.
• In the fourth period, Stevens had several opportunities, especially with three corners in the last two minutes of the game, but the Montclair defense never faltered and did not allow a shot to be taken in the period and took the win for their sixth-straight victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• White made two saves and continued her perfection in the cage as she improved her record to 5-0
• Sutera knocked in her third goal of the season, ninth career goal and her fourth game winner.
• Montclair State University earned their first win against a ranked opponent since they beat #4 TCNJ back in 2018.

FROM THE FIELD 
"Today was a statement win for our 2024 team. Stevens is a top team in our region and will be a contender for an AQ and at large NCAA bid, so this win is a major confidence boost for us as we continue to prepare for our upcoming NJAC schedule. 
I thought our preparation and intentional focus for this game was outstanding. We executed our press with discipline and grit the entire game. We saw outstanding leadership and communication from Kylie, Gab and Anna in transition to defense.  I'm so proud of our entire group and we are continuing to learn and grow with each challenge this season." Head Coach Eileen O'Reilly

UP NEXT
Montclair State now heads into a four-game road schedule and will start it in Glenside, Pa. on Saturday, September 28 as they square off Arcadia at 3:00pm.