Ewing, NJ – The Montclair State University field hockey team (5-10, 2-3 NJAC) continued its road trip on Saturday afternoon with a conference matchup against #24 TCNJ (10-4, 5-1 NJAC), where the Red Hawks dropped the NJAC contest to the Lions, 5-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- TCNJ went on the attack early in the contest, but SYDNEY WHITE was up to the challenge, making two saves in the opening three minutes. Montclair generated its first offensive opportunity at the 5:53 mark, when NATALIE SURMA fired off a shot that was saved. The Red Hawks earned a penalty corner shortly after, and EMMA BIANCO got a shot off that went wide. The Lions responded with more offensive pressure, but White made two more saves before TCNJ broke through at 12:22 with a goal from Elena Bonfrisco. White made one more stop in the final seconds of the quarter to keep the deficit at 1-0 heading into the second.
- The Lions continued their offensive pressure in the second quarter, challenging White with four shots on goal in the opening five minutes, all of which she denied. TCNJ eventually extended its lead at the 20:58 mark, when Emma McElroy found the back of the cage off an assist from Nika Eschmann following a penalty corner. Montclair was unable to generate an offensive opportunity in the frame, and the Lions capitalized with another goal at 28:32 from Eschmann to take a 3-0 advantage into halftime.
- Montclair's defense settled in during the third quarter and held TCNJ off the scoreboard throughout the period. White made an early save at the 32:46 mark, and the Red Hawks' defense limited the Lions to just three total shots in the frame. Montclair generated a penalty corner with 36 seconds remaining in the quarter but was unable to turn it into a scoring opportunity. The defensive effort kept the deficit at 3-0 heading into the final 15 minutes.
- TCNJ came out aggressively in the fourth quarter, earning a penalty corner less than a minute into the frame. White made another save at 46:32, but the Lions found their fourth goal just 18 seconds later off a shot from Allie Baker. The Lions kept up their offensive pressure, generating multiple penalty corners and shot opportunities throughout the quarter. White made two more saves to keep the Lions from extending the lead before Jadyn Huff found the cage at 57:32 for the final goal of the contest, securing the 5-0 victory.
INSIDE THE RESULTS
- White finished the afternoon with 13 saves, marking her sixth double-digit save performance of the season and the 15th of her career.
- Surma and Bianco registered Montclair's two shots of the contest, with Surma placing her attempt on goal.
- The Red Hawks earned two penalty corners, while TCNJ held a 28-2 advantage in shots and a 10-2 edge in penalty corners.
FROM THE FIELD
- "TCNJ played a great game today and challenged us in each phase of play. I thought we had moments of growth and improvements in 1v1 defense, outletting, and transition to attack. We need to be much more consistent in these areas in order to produce scoring opportunities and reduce goals against. We will look to reset with a positive mindset for our last two NJAC regular season games, and we are hungry to make a push for the NJAC postseason tournament." Head Coach Eileen O'Reilly
UP NEXT
- Montclair will remain on the road for its next NJAC matchup on Wednesday, October 28, when it travels to Ramapo. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
