Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Women's Soccer team closed the regular season out with a 4-1 victory against William Paterson on Wednesday night at MSU Soccer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (12-3-2, 6-2-1 NJAC) opened the scoring in the eighth minute on the game's first shot, as CARLY GUZZARDO looped an out-swinging corner kick from the far side of the field that was flicked with a header by SHANNON MULLINS past the keeper towards the back post. Montclair doubled their advantage in the 14th minute, as EMMA EDWARDS lofted the ball across midfield to trigger a run along the far wing by Guzzardo. The defender made it to the ball, took a few steps into the box, and slotted a feed to LAUREN VINELLA for a quick-touch goal that was chipped over the keeper from point-blank range.
• Two minutes later, Montclair almost put in a third as ISABELL KRONOW tallied a shot on goal that was collected by the Pioneers. The home side notched three more shots as the game crossed the 20-minute mark, with KAYLEE LAUBER slotting a shot on frame in the 25th minute that had to be collected by William Paterson. Five minutes later, MARY LANE drew a foul just inside the near edge of the box, leading to a left-footed penalty kick from SAMIRA LUKOVIC to the low right post. Both sides combined for one shot over the remainder of the opening stanza, putting Montclair up three scores at the break.
• Montclair tacked on their final strike of the night five minutes into the second half, as LAUREN VINELLA drew a foul in the box right in front of goal. Lauber stepped up to the penalty spot and tucked a right-footed shot towards the right post. The Red Hawks tallied another pair of shots, including a look from Guzzardo that had to be parried out for a corner kick by the Pioneers. The visitors notched their lone goal of the night in the 64th minute, capitalizing on a loose ball right in front of goal following a set piece from the far end line. Neither side would find the back of the net the rest of the way as the Red Hawks closed out their regular season home slate with another victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Montclair finished the season with six wins in New Jersey Athletic Conference play for the fifth consecutive season and sixth-straight not counting the shortened 2021 spring season.
• Mullins continued one of the most efficient seasons in the NJAC, posting her ninth goal of the campaign and the fifth over her last seven games. The senior is tied for third in the league in scoring.
• Vanilla's goal marked her fifth of the year, with Edwards tallying her second career assist.
• Lauber notched her 16th goal contribution of 2026, as the freshman sits tied for fourth in the conference in goals with eight. She is a perfect 3-for-3 from the penalty spot this season.
• Lukovic's penalty kick goal was the first of her collegiate career, marking her third score of the campaign.
• Guzzardo notched her second multi-assist performance of the season, moving into a tie for second in the NJAC  in the category.
• The Red Hawks held a 19-5 advantage in shots, including a 11-3 mark in attempts on frame. Montclair's back line held William Paterson without a shot the entire first half.
• Montclair finished the regular season with three-straight victories, outscoring opponents 9-1. In eight home games this year, the Red Hawks are 7-0-1 with a 33-7 scoring edge.

FROM THE FIELD

"Very happy that we were able to end the regular season with a win. Happy for our seniors that we were able to celebrate them, and thought that ARIA HICKS, DANIELLE MULLINS and SHANNON MULLINS all played extremely well for us tonight. We look forward to the challenge of competing in the NJAC tournament." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks earned the third seed in the 2026 NJAC Tournament and will host the sixth seed Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, October 31 in the Quarterfinal Round. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 1:00 PM.