Montclair State University Athletics

Newark, NJ – The Montclair State University Men's Soccer team notched a road victory over Rutgers-Newark, 4-2, on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (10-2-0, 2-0-0 NJAC) saw a save from PIERRE SOUMEILLANT in the 14th minute, leading to an own goal on the other end to break the scoring open. JOSH VIRGIL sent a left wing service into the box that was flicked into the net by a Rutgers-Newark centerback. The following minute, KEVIN CONTRERAS sent a shot towards goal just inside the box that was stopped by the keeper, leading to a TOMAS MONTEIRO flick back towards Contreras. The winger sent a right-footed volley past the keeper to double the advantage for the visitors.
• Montclair's offensive flurry continued the next minute, as Monteiro played a rolling feed to Contreras at the edge of the 18, who cut to the right of a defender and sent a right-footed shot past the keeper towards the far post. The fourth goal of the afternoon from the visitors came in the 22nd minute, as Contreras cut towards the middle of the park and fed the ball to Winchock. The midfielder slotted a through ball to Monteiro making a run past the back line, as he ripped a right-footed shot towards goal and past the keeper.
• Soumeillant tallied another stop in the 27th minute, as the sophomore was tested again nine minutes later, resulting in another save. Rutgers-Newark trimmed the deficit to three shortly after, as a cross from the near edge of the box found a one-time left-footed shot into the back of the net. Montclair tallied one final shot of the half, but the two sides would go into the break with the score 4-1.
• Coming out of the halftime break, Soumeillant notched a save in the 52nd minute, with TYLER DIAZ searching for a goal on the other end that was parried away by the Rutgers-Newark keeper. Shortly after, the home side continued to push on the front foot to cut into the deficit, with Soumeillant tallying another save to maintain the lead. Rutgers-Newark was able to break through a final time in the 77th minute, but would not be able to put another attempt on goal the rest of the way as the Red Hawks sealed the road victory, 4-2.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Contreras has recorded a brace in back-to-back contests, increasing his season goal total to nine to rank second on the team. He has amassed eight goal contributions over Montclair's last four games.
• Monteiro notched a goal along with his first multi-assist performance of his collegiate career. He has recorded a goal contribution in all but two of Montclair's games this season.
• The Red Hawks have the top two scorers in the New Jersey Athletic Conference this season in Monteiro and Contreras, who have combined for 20 goals along with 10 assists.
• Winchock added his first assist of the campaign and sixth of his collegiate career.
• Soumeillant matched his season-high of five saves en route to his ninth victory between the posts for the Red Hawks this season. 
• Montclair has scored 48 goals this season along with a plus-41 goal differential, a mark that leads the NJAC and ranks second in the nation only behind Saint John's of Minnesota.

FROM THE FIELD

"Happy to get a solid result on the road. We got off to another good start and were able to grind out a win away from home. We will refocus and get ready for another tough opponent on Wednesday." - Head Coach Todd Tumelty

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will host The College of New Jersey in a rematch of the 2025 NJAC Tournament Semifinals on Wednesday, October 7. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:00 PM.