Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University women's soccer team took down the United States Coast Guard Academy 2-0 on Friday afternoon at MSU Soccer Park in their 2025 season opener.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (1-0-0) started the game on the front foot, as SAMIRA LUKOVIC ripped a shot that went just high five and a half minutes in. A minute later, MADELINE LESICA flicked a left-footed pass over a defender to a surging ISABELL KRONOW, who made a run down the right side of the field and into the edge of the box. She sent a centering ball right in front of goal, where KYLIE PRENDERGAST cut across the frame and sent a touch into the back of the net.
• Lukovic notched a shot on goal a few minutes later that had to be saved by Coast Guard, but the Bears countered with a pair of shots, including one that had to be collected by SALANGE BELL. Montclair continued to push offensively, as the Red Hawks had a few runs over the top of the defense waved offside. Neither side recorded a shot on frame for the remainder of the half, as Montclair went into the break up one.
• Montclair looked to double the advantage early in the second stanza, as LAUREN HUTCHISON ripped a shot on frame that was stopped by the Bears. Bell responded with a save of her own two minutes later to keep the home side in front. Montclair outshot Coast Guard 4-1 over the next 25 minutes, including one on goal by Kronow.
• The Red Hawks doubled the lead in the 86th minute, as MACKENZIE ALBERT collected a turnover from the Bears, crossed midfield, and played a perfectly placed through ball to Kronow, who surged past the remaining Coast Guard defender and ripped a shot into the right side of the net past the keeper. Montclair notched a trio of shots in the final moments, but held strong defensively for the season-opening victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Prendergast's goal marked the 25th of her collegiate career. She has scored the opening goal of the season for Montclair in each of the past two years.
• Kronow tallied a goal and assist in her debut for the Red Hawks, with Albert picking up her fifth career assist for Montclair.
• Bell notched a pair of saves and the shutout in net for the Red Hawks, marking the ninth of her collegiate career.
• Montclair held a 14-5 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 mark on goal.
• The Red Hawks are unbeaten in their last 10 season openers, posting six wins and four draws dating back to 2016.

FROM THE FIELD

"Great to get the first game behind us with a win and staying healthy. I thought that our freshmen did a great job of stepping into an intense college match and keeping composure. We are looking forward to playing a very good Johnson & Wales side on Sunday." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will continue their three-game season opening homestand on Sunday, August 31, against Johnson & Wales. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 2:00 PM.