Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Women's Soccer team edged Catholic 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at MSU Soccer Park.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (13-4-2) received an early save from MACKENZIE SIBELLO in the 12th minute on Catholic's first shot attempt of the day. Montclair broke through four minutes later, as ARIA HICKS intercepted a clearance from the Cardinals close to midfield along the near touch line. The defender served a ball back towards the edge of the box on the far side that was collected by EMMA EDWARDS, who pushed towards goal and sent a shot towards the far post.
• The visitors searched for the equalizer, notching the game's next three shot attempts as the clock crossed 25 minutes. A few minutes later, Montclair aimed to double its lead on a shot on frame from ISABELL KRONOW that had to be collected by the keeper. The Red Hawks would allow just one shot over the remainder of the opening stanza as the defenses tightened up, pushing the home side into the halftime break up by one goal.
• In the third minute of the second stanza, Catholic was issued a straight red card following a hard foul just outside the edge of the box, preventing a scoring opportunity. On the ensuing free kick, SAMIRA LUKOVIC rocketed a left-footed shot that curled towards the far post, going off a defender and into the back of the net to make the margin two. The Cardinals struck right back in the 57th minute, as a run to the far end line led to a low slotted feed that took a deflection to the edge of the box, where Catholic chipped a right-footed shot towards the far post.
• Montclair rattled off a pair of shot attempts over the next five minutes, trying to flip the game back onto the front foot. In the 69th minute, Kronow saw another shot stopped along the edge of the end line, with Catholic tallying another attempt six minutes after that was blocked by the Red Hawks. That would be the last shot of the game allowed by Montclair, as the home side would defend the final 15 minutes and seal the home victory to close out their 2026 home slate.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Edwards registered her first collegiate goal in the contest, with Hicks picking up her second assist of the campaign.
• Lukovic's goal was her fourth of the year and second over Montclair's last three games. The midfielder has tallied a pair of strikes off free kicks this season, both coming at home.
• Sibello tallied a pair of saves en route to her 13th victory of the season in goal for the Red Hawks.
• Montclair held a 12-8 advantage in shots, including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal. They held Catholic to two shot attempts the entire second half.
• The Red Hawks posted a 8-1-1 record during the 2026 season at home, their highest win total at MSU Soccer Park since 2022.
• Montclair has won 13 games or more in five-straight campaigns and six consecutive excluding the shortened 2021 spring season.

FROM THE FIELD

"I am so ecstatic we were able to get this game in and thought we played one of the best games we have all season. I appreciate the support of the entire athletic department to help us pull this off and hopefully we are able to play another game. If not, this was a great way to end the season and I am very grateful for everyone's efforts to make it happen." - Head Coach Pat Naughter

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will await to see if they have earned a bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with the selection show slated to air on Monday, November 9 at 11:30 AM on ncaa.com.