Montclair, NJ- The Montclair State University field hockey team hosts a big conference showdown on Saturday, when they face off with #21 TCNJ.
 
GAME INFO
The game on Sprague Field is set for a 4:30 p.m. start. Live coverage of the game can be found at montclairathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair went on the road to Stockton and was bested by the Ospreys, 4-1. Stockton opened the scoring in the 11^th minute when they knocked in a rebound after an initial save by Montclair goalkeeper SYDNEY WHITE, giving the Ospreys a 1-0 lead. White kept the Red Hawks within striking distance in the second period with five saves, including two off corners. After not registering a shot in the first quarter, Montclair's offense began to find rhythm, generating four penalty corners and two shots in the frame. They were unable to score, and the game went 1-0 into the intermission. The Ospreys doubled their lead early in the third at the 35:10 timestamp with a backhand at the left post off a pass to make it 2-0. Stockton added to the advantage less than five minutes later, redirecting a shot to put the hosts up 3-0. COLLEEN MCGAVIN got Montclair State on the board in the 42^nd minute on a rebound after the Stockton keeper made the initial stop, trimming the deficit to 3-1. Stockton put the bow on the game at the 48:30 mark from Bailey, on a long hit redirected into the cage to seal the 4-1 victory for Stockton.
 
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (4-8, 2-1 NJAC)
Goals: NATALIE SURMA, 5
Assists: Six Tied for 1
Points: NATALIE SURMA, 11
Shots: NATALIE SURMA, 34
Saves: SYDNEY WHITE, 101
Wins: SYDNEY WHITE, 4
 
TCNJ (8-4, 2-1 NJAC)
Goals: Two tied with 9
Assists: Two tied with 6
Points: Jadyn Huff, 24
Shots: Jadyn Huff, 50
Saves: Brigette Racey, 65
Wins: Brigette Racey, 8
 
SCOUTING TCNJ 
The College of the New Jersey enters this game as the #21 team in the nation, according to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III National Poll. They have an 8-4 record and a 2-1 record in the NJAC after falling in a shootout to #14 Rowan on Wednesday, 4-3. In 2024, they finished 13-7 with a 5-1 record in NJAC play. They entered the conference tournament as the two seed, besting Montclair in the semifinals, 2-1 (OT), before being bested in the championship by Rowan, 1-0. According to the 2025 NJAC Preseason poll, the Lions were voted to place second again this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Lions face each other for the 85^th time in their long-standing conference rivalry that dates back to 1961. TCNJ is in complete control of the series at 70-11-4 and have won 11 of the last 13 matchups
 
LAST MEETING
These two teams met last season in the NJAC semifinals in Ewing, NJ, where TCNJ advanced to the finals with a 2-1 overtime win.
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University will hit the road for a non-conference tilt at Union on Wednesday, October 22, at 7:00 p.m.