Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Women's Soccer team blanked Stockton 2-0 on Saturday afternoon at MSU Soccer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (9-2-1, 3-1-0 NJAC) withstood an early offensive push from Stockton, as the Ospreys accumulated a pair of shots on three consecutive corner kicks across the opening six minutes, with both attempts being blocked by Montclair. After Stockton's third attempt of the day sailed out left, SAMIRA LUKOVIC recorded the first two tries for the Red Hawks over the ensuing 10 minutes. Shortly after, MACKENZIE SIBELLO collected the afternoon's first shot on goal for either side.
• Montclair broke through in the 24th minute, as MARY LANE threaded a through ball to a breaking CARLY GUZZARDO along the far touch line. The defender broke to the end line and played an out-swinging service that found an unmarked SHANNON MULLINS in the center of the box for a header that rang off the left post and into the back of the net. Three minutes later, Lukovic played the ball to SOPHIA ORELLANA in the near corner, as the defender played a cross into the box that was pushed past the keeper by Lane to make the halftime margin two.
• Coming out of halftime, the Red Hawks looked to put the game away in the 51st minute with a shot on goal from LAUREN VINELLA that was saved towards the bottom left post by the Ospreys. The visitors did not register a shot in the second stanza until the 60th minute, an attempt that was blocked out of play for a corner kick. Montclair continued to play tight defense, leading to another shot on goal on the other end of the pitch that was stopped again by Stockton.
• Vinella and Lane each notched a shot attempt as the game clock turned over into the 70th minute, as Vinella tallied another rip on goal five minutes later, just missing on the rebound attempt that was parried away by the Stockton keeper. Sibello recorded a save on the final attempt of the day for the visitors in the 81st minute, as Montclair would close out a stellar defensive performance for the league victory at home.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Lane collected her third performance with multiple goal contributions, finishing the day with a goal and assist. The freshman is tied for fourth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference with six goals for the campaign, and is tied for ninth in assists with three.
• The goal for Mullins was her fifth of the season, pushing her into a tie for ninth in the league.
• Guzzardo's assist was her fifth of the year, which is tied for fourth in the NJAC. The defender has 13 in 31 career appearances across two seasons.
• Lukovic and Orellana each notched their third assist of the season during the contest.
• Sibello amassed four saves and her ninth victory of the season in goal for the Red Hawks, posting her fifth clean sheet to rank second in the NJAC. The junior has recorded shutouts in three of her last four games.
• Montclair held a 17-8 advantage in shots, including a 6-4 edge in shots on goal. The Red Hawks limited the Ospreys to just two attempts in the second half.
• The Red Hawks recorded just the third multi-goal performance that Stockton has allowed this season and first since September 13, ending a stretch of 534 minutes in between goals conceded for the Ospreys.

FROM THE FIELD

"I am very proud of the effort and resilience of the group. Stockton have had a great season and are an excellent team. I'm so excited that our team was able to put together a complete effort and play great soccer for 90 minutes. Huge three points in the NJAC." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will travel to face #4 Rowan on Wednesday, October 14. Kickoff from Glassboro, NJ is scheduled for 6:00 PM.