Montclair, NJ – The #23 Montclair State University men's soccer team surged past DeSales 5-0 on Wednesday night in its nonconference finale at MSU Soccer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (9-1-2) jumped out of the gate fast with eight shots in the opening 15 minutes, including three on goal. In the 25th minute, Pierre Soumelliant surged off his line to prevent a breakaway opportunity for DeSales, playing a long pass to LOGAN NENO. The midfielder collected the ball, made a run towards goal, and slotted a shot past the keeper to break the scoring open.
• Four minutes later, KENET LOPEZ played a ball from midfield to JOSH VIRGIL making a run down the far touch line. Virgil entered the edge of the box and slipped a crossing pass to TOMAS MONTEIRO, who flicked a quick shot into the back of the net to double the advantage. In the 38th minute, MAX PERRY crossed midfield and found Virgil making a run down the far touch line for a second time, who served another ball into the box that was headed by the keeper by Monteiro.
• In the 43rd minute, JAKE WINCHOCK sent a service into the box off a free kick that was immediately headed into the back of the net by THOMAS PUGLIESE. Montclair added their fifth and final marker of the night two minutes later, as Monteiro slotted a pass to MAX PERRY, who ripped a shot past the keeper. The Red Hawks allowed just one shot in the second half to seal the home victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Monteiro's brace marked his second of the campaign, pushing him into a tie for the team lead in goals with six. He is the first Red Hawk to record multiple braces in a season since 2023 and has amassed five goals over his last three contests. The assist was the first of his collegiate career.
• Neno's goal was his first of the year and fourth of his collegiate career, with Perry picking up his third career goal. The goal for Pugliese marked the first of his collegiate career.
• Virgil collected a pair of assists, marking the first Red Hawk with a multi-assist performance since OSBIN MENDEZ on October 16, 2024 against William Paterson. The assist for Lopez was his first of the year, with Winchock moving into a tie for second on the team with three.
• Soumelliant became the first goalkeeper to record an assist in a game since Mike Saalfrank, who did it twice during the 2018 season. He and CHRIS LIBERAL combined for the shutout victory, with Liberal making his Montclair debut in goal during the second half.
• The five goals for Montclair marked the most in a half and game overall since September 23, 2024, when they defeated John Jay 8-0 with a seven-goal first half.
• 34 different Red Hawks saw action during the contest, as Montclair held a 30-2 advantage in shots, including a 16-1 advantage with shots on goal.
• The clean sheet for Montclair was its seventh of the season, the most in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and tied for second in the nation.

FROM THE FIELD

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UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will resume NJAC play on Saturday, October 11 against Rutgers-Newark. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:00 PM.