Montclair State University Athletics

Ewing, NJ – The Montclair State University Women's Soccer team was edged by #10 The College of New Jersey on Wednesday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (8-2-1, 2-1-0 NJAC) fell behind in the third minute, as a through ball on the far wing led to a run towards the end line. TCNJ sent a service into the box that was headed into the back post to push the home side in front. LAUREN VINELLA notched the first shot attempt from Montclair off the restart, but the Lions would double their advantage four minutes after on an in-swinging corner kick that was immediately headed towards the back post. The visitors searched for their first of the night, with SAMIRA LUKOVIC ripping a shot that had to be parried out from the top right corner of the net by the TCNJ keeper in the 13th minute.
• MACKENZIE SIBELLO registered a pair of crucial saves over the next seven minutes to maintain the difference, with SHANNON MULLINS and Lukovic each recording an attempt on goal shortly after, with both being halted by the TCNJ keeper. Monclair's final shot on goal of the first half came in the 33rd minute, with MARY LANE searching for the top portion of the frame that was saved by the Lions. Sibello recorded one final stop for the Red Hawks, as the halftime margin remained two.
• TCNJ collected four of the first five shots of the second stanza over the opening eight minutes, with a solid chance for the Red Hawks coming shortly after on a shot from GIANA DIFEBBO that rang off the crossbar. As the game approached the hour mark, the home side amassed four more shots, including an attempt that was scooped up by Sibello. The Montclair keeper was tested again in the 61st minute, tallying a save towards the right post.
• Montclair continued to search for a strike to cut into the deficit, as SOPHIA ORELLANA ripped a shot that was saved towards the bar, resulting in a corner kick in the 63rd minute. Nine minutes after, Sibello recorded a stop as the Lions searched for their third of the night, leading to a goal on the other end from the Red Hawks in the 75th minute. A ball placed over the top of the halfway line to Vinella, who slotted a feed through to KAYLEE LAUBER. The freshman bent a ball into the box that was flicked in by ISABELL KRONOW. Montclair recorded a pair of shots down the stretch, but could not find the equalizer on the road.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Kronow recorded her team-leading 10th goal of the campaign, a mark that sits atop the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The striker has 16 goal contributions for the year, having scored in each of Montclair's last four contests.
• Lauber's assist moved her into a tie for the team lead with sixth, with the total placing her second in the NJAC.
• Sibello matched her season-high of six saves, a number she has collected three times over Montclair's last five contests.

FROM THE FIELD

"I thought we were a bit unlucky not to get the second goal, but credit to TCNJ for coming out and setting the tone. We can't give up two goals in ten minutes to a team that good. We will get back at it and get ready for a big game Saturday." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will return home to face Stockton on Saturday, October 10. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 1:00 PM.