Center Valley, PA – Behind a pair of second half goals, the Montclair State University field hockey team battled back to defeat DeSales 2-1 on Wednesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (2-4) withstood some early offensive threats from the Bulldogs, who created two shots off penalty corners in the opening seven minutes, with the latter being parried away by SYDNEY WHITE. With under five minutes on the clock, the home side registered another attempt on frame that White once again knocked away. DeSales struck shortly after, however, capitalizing on a loose ball after their initial shot from a penalty corner was blocked.
• Montclair looked for the equalizer early in the second stanza, notching two penalty corners over the first five minutes, with KELLY WESTERVELT sending in a shot off the second. As the game approached halftime, DeSales attempted to double its lead with back-to-back shots on goal, forcing White to tally saves on each. On the ensuing possession, NATALIE SURMA looked to break through for the Red Hawks with a shot that was blocked, as DeSales preserved their lead going into the break.
• In the first minute coming out of halftime, the Red Hawks generated a penalty stroke shortly after a corner. SADIE EICHLIN stepped up and slotted a shot into the high left side of the cage to level the contest at one. Montclair struck again to take the lead with under five minutes on the clock in the frame, as Eichlin slid a long pass through multiple defenders that went off a stick to Surma. The junior collected the ball, turned towards the cage, and tucked a pass across to MARISSA CRAIG, who flicked the ball into the back of the net.
• The visitors continued to push in the final quarter, recording a trio of penalty corners over a minute-long span, as Eichlin saw a shot attempt blocked following the third. The Bulldogs looked to equalize on a penalty corner of their own with nine minutes remaining, but White tallied a stop to maintain the advantage. DeSales had one more scoring opportunity in the waning minutes of the contest, but White notched another key save to seal the road victory for the Red Hawks.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Eichlin's goal was her team-leading third of the campaign, scoring in three of Montclair's last four contests. 
• The senior also notched her fifth career penalty stroke goal, remaining perfect in attempts for her collegiate career.
• Craig's goal marked her first game-winning goal of her career and second overall.
• White notched her 14th career victory in the cage for Montclair, finishing the night with six saves.
• The Red Hawks remained unbeaten on the road against the Bulldogs, increasing their all-time mark to 3-0 in Center Valley, PA.

FROM THE FIELD

"Amazing team effort tonight to battle back after giving up a goal early in the game. I'm proud of our team for making some key adjustments after the first quarter and taking more risks to create scoring opportunities. Back to work tomorrow to get ready for another test on the road at Muhlenberg on Saturday." - Head Coach Eileen O'Reilly

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will travel to face Muhlenberg on Saturday, September 20. Game time from Allentown, PA is scheduled for 1:00 PM.