Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University women's soccer team edged Rowan in a penalty kick shootout thriller to clinch the 2025 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship at MSU Soccer Park on Friday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (13-0-6) received two key stops from SALANGE BELL within the opening 20 minutes, including a diving stop to the left on a shot from the edge of the box on the near side. Rowan continued to search for the breakthrough goal, as they sent a high looping shot towards the back post that rang off the woodwork, falling for Bell. The two sides combined for one shot down the stretch, going into the break scoreless.
• Montclair generated an opportunity two minutes into the second stanza, as SHANNON MULLINS sent a header towards the crossbar that was saved by the Profs. The visitors took the lead in the 67th minute, as the Red Hawks initially cleared a corner attempt, but the ball fell to Rowan just outside of the box. The ensuing shot attempt took a deflection on the way in towards the near side post to break the scoring open.
• Pushing numbers forward, the Red Hawks searched for the equalizer with four shots over the next 20 minutes. They broke through shortly after, as CARLY GUZZARDO tucked a through ball to ISABELL KRONOW on the far side of the field. Kronow, making a run to the end line, slipped a pass to SAMIRA LUKOVIC, who found the back of the net off a rebound after her initial attempt was saved.
• The two sides combined for three shots through both periods of extra time, with Guzzardo sending an attempt on frame in the waning moments of the second half to force a penalty kick shootout. Makes from MADELINE LESICA and MACKENZIE ALBERT put the Red Hawks up 2-1 in the shootout, with Bell tallying another key save. With the shootout level at four, Bell stepped up and rocketed an attempt into the top left corner of the net to push the Red Hawks in front. On the ensuing attempt for Rowan, Bell helped guide the ball off the crossbar and out of play, clinching the title game for the Red Hawks.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Montclair earned its fifth NJAC Championship in program history and its first since the 2020 campaign. 
• The Red Hawks improved their unbeaten streak to 19 to begin the season, approaching its longest in program history, set in 2013.
• The game-tying goal for Lukovic marked her seventh marker of the campaign, and her fourth goal contribution over Montclair's last three contests. 

FROM THE FIELD

"I'm ecstatic for the team and am amazed by their resilience and grit. This group is special. We are humbled to represent the NJAC in the NCAA tournament. Roll State!" - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will await Monday's NCAA Selection Show to see their opponent and location for the 2025 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament.