Montclair State University Athletics

Mahwah, NJ – The Montclair State University field hockey (6-10, 3-3 NJAC) team dominated on the road, firing off four unanswered goals early to secure a 5-1 victory over Ramapo College (3-11, 0-6 NJAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Montclair came out of the gates on fire, taking control in the opening minute. NATALIE SURMA put the Red Hawks on the board early at the 0:58 mark off an assist from AVA SCURRY. The Red Hawks kept the pressure high, generating back-to-back penalty corners by KASEY WATSON. At 3:03, EMMA BIANCO fired a shot on cage that was saved, but Surma was there to clean up the rebound for her second goal of the day. Less than two minutes later, Scurry found the back of the net unassisted at 4:55 to extend the lead to 3-0.
• Both defenses locked in through a scoreless second quarter. Ramapo attempted to spark a comeback, earning four penalty corners and testing the Red Hawks defense, but Montclair goalie SYDNEY WHITE made five crucial saves in the period to keep Ramapo off the board heading into halftime.
• The Red Hawks picked right back up on offense in the second half. After earning a pair of penalty corners from COLLEEN MCGAVIN, Montclair State converted at 36:24 when McGavin scored off an assist from Surma to make it 4-0. Ramapo managed to get on the board late in the quarter after drawing a penalty stroke, which then converted to a goal at 43:02, marking the game at 4-1
• Montclair sealed the victory in the fourth quarter. Following a penalty corner from Watson, Scurry took a shot that was blocked, but AVERY DIPIETRO capitalized on the loose ball to score at 54:39, with Scurry earning her second assist of the game. The Red Hawks closed out regulation strong, earning six late penalty corners from Watson to secure the 5-1 win.
   

INSIDE THE RESULTS 

• Montclair generated heavy pressure throughout the match, earning 14 total penalty corners to Ramapo's 10.
• NATALIE SURMA led the attack with two goals and an assist for five points, the highest point total of her career. She also posted her fourth career multi-goal performance.
• Scurry tallied her first career points and scored her first career goal. She finished the day with four points on a goal and two assists.
• SYDNEY WHITE anchored the Red Hawks defense with 10 saves. She totaled her seventh double-digit save performance of the season, including her fourth in a row.
• BENNA CLARK came in for the final five minutes to record one save and close out the victory.

FROM THE FIELD 

• "I am very proud of our energy and intensity at the start of the game. We are coming off of a difficult stretch of games, and I was impressed with our confidence and hunger to score to earn this important conference win. Nat Surma did a great job leading our attacking group and setting the tone early in the game. Ramapo challenged our defense throughout the game with many circle entries and penalty corners. Our defensive unit handled the pressure well, and Syd White made a ton of great saves. Saturday is a great opportunity for our group, and we are ready to battle for a spot in the NJAC postseason tournament." Head Coach Eileen O'Reilly
   

UP NEXT 

• Montclair State returns home for their final regular season matchup of the year, hosting New Paltz on Saturday at 11:00 AM at Rick Giancola - Sprague Field.