Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University women's soccer team completed its unbeaten regular season and clinched the 2025 New Jersey Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship with a 2-0 victory over Rutgers-Camden on Wednesday night at MSU Soccer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (12-0-5, 7-0-2 NJAC) received an early save from SALANGE BELL before they broke the scoring open in the sixth minute. SHANNON MULLINS played a pass to SAMIRA LUKOVIC, who crossed midfield and slotted a pass to KYLIE PRENDERGAST, who chipped a shot from well outside the box that sailed over the keeper and into the back of the net. Montclair looked to double the advantage quickly after, as MACKENZIE ALBERT slotted a shot towards the low frame that was collected by Rutgers-Camden. 
• Albert and ISABELL KRONOW tallied shots on goal in the 11th minute that were also collected by the Scarlet Raptors. Lukovic rattled the crossbar five minutes later, with Bell notching a save towards the bar in the 19th minute. Both sides combined for one shot on goal the remainder of the half, with Montclair going into the break with the lead.
• Following a straight red card to Rutgers-Camden in the opening minutes of the second stanza, Mullins saw a shot that was saved by the visitors. 10 minutes later, Prendergast ripped a pair of attempts on goal along with a shot from MADELINE LESICA as the Scarlet Raptors preserved the margin.
• In the 69th minute, ASHLEY DEFRANCESCO looped a pass from the nearside of the field to the middle edge of the box. GIANNA CURCI immediately flicked the ball with a header to Lukovic cutting towards goal. The midfielder settled the ball and slotted a low right footed shot past the keeper to the left post to double the lead. Montclair did not allow a shot the remainder of the contest to seal the home shutout victory and the conference regular season title.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• The Red Hawks finished the regular season unbeaten for the first time since 2013 (excluding the COVID-shortened 2020 spring season). 
• Montclair outscored opponents 49-10 during their 17-match unbeaten regular season, including a 29-6 margin in NJAC play. 
• Defensively, the Red Hawks notched their ninth shutout of the season, allowing more than five shot attempts in just four of their games.
• Prendergast's goal was her NJAC-leading 12th of the season, extending her goal contribution streak to eight games.
• Lukovic tallied her sixth goal and second assist of the year, her second career multi-point performance.
• Curci and DeFrancesco each notched their first assist of the season.
• Bell recorded two saves and her 11th victory in goal for the Red Hawks during the 2025 campaign. She is tied for the conference lead in shutouts with eight, matching her career-high.
• For the game, the Red Hawks outshot Rutgers-Camden 19-3, not allowing a single attempt in the second half.

FROM THE FIELD

"When we started in August I never thought that we could be a 'special' group, but to get through the regular season undefeated and as NJAC Regular Season Champs is amazing. The NJAC tournament will be even more competitive, and we are ecstatic to be a part of it!" - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will receive a bye in the 2025 New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament as the top seed, and will await the winner of #4 Rutgers-Camden versus #5 NJCU on Saturday, November 1.