Montclair, NJ. – The Montclair State women's soccer team (2-3-5) had a scoreless tie in their New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener against New Jersey City (4-0-4), 0-0 on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• It was a neck-and-neck first half with Montclair generating seven shots to New Jersey City's six. The Red Hawks had a few opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the game. EMMI DENOVELLIS and KYLIE PRENDERGAST both put shots on the net but were denied by NJCU goalkeeper Sophia Mannino.
• It didn't take long for the Gothic Knights to get on the attack and they had two shots on goal within three minutes but both were saved by SALANGE BELL. Both teams continued to pressure but nobody was able to find that go-ahead goal and the game remained scoreless into the second half.
• The next half was dominated in offensive oppurtunites by the Red Hawks, who tallied 11 shots to the Gothic Knights', two. The shots came early for Montclair, but Mannino was there to stonewall them.
• The game-defining moment came at the 63:51 timestamp when EMILY SCHULER was fouled in the box. That led to AILEEN CAHILL taking the penalty shot, but she was denied by Mannino.
• No team was able to find the net the rest of the contest and the first conference game for both teams ended in a scoreless draw.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Bell made four saves in the contest with three of them coming in the first half.
• The final shot total came out to 19 for the Red Hawks (10 on goal) and eight for the Gothic Knights (four on goal).
• Corners did not come easy in the contest with five total corners, three for Montclair and two for Jersey City.

FROM THE FIELD

"It's hard to win games in the NJAC, and we weren't efficient enough in finishing our chances. This group continues to fight with great spirit and I am optimistic our fortune will change." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

Montclair State's next match is back at MSU Soccer Park on Wednesday, October 2 as they host Kean for a 7:00pm matchup.