Baltimore, MD – Recording the go-ahead goal in the final minute, the Montclair State University Men's Lacrosse team took down Goucher in its 2026 season opener on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (1-0) registered a pair of shots on goal in the first three minutes of the contest from HENRY NORDSTROM, with the offensive pressure leading to the opening goal of the campaign shortly after from BRIAN KELLY. Goucher equalized a minute later, with Montclair notching two more attempts on frame from Kelly before NICHOLI HALSE recorded a save on the other end to maintain the score. With six minutes on the clock, JONATHAN SLUSSER nudged the visitors back in front with a goal, and RYAN VIERBUCHEN doubled the advantage on the next possession following a face-off violation from the Gophers. Goucher accumulated four shots over the remaining four minutes of the stanza, getting within one goal with a marker at the 1:15 mark.
• Kelly and Slusser recorded a pair of shots in the early stages of the second quarter, with Halse recording another save a minute and a half in to maintain the lead for the visitors. Shortly after, KAI DONAHUE found Slusser for his second goal of the day to push the margin back to two. Montclair tallied two shots on goal over the next five minutes, but the Gophers capitalized on a man-up opportunity to make the score 4-3 with 6:23 on the clock. Following a Goucher timeout, Vierbuchen and Kelly rattled in goals on back-to-back possessions to balloon the lead to three. The home side recorded a goal with 90 seconds left to go into the break with the Montclair lead at 6-4.
• The Gophers recorded three shots on the opening possession of the second half, leading to a marker that trimmed the margin to one. CORBIN QUINTERO forced a turnover from Goucher while on the penalty kill, with the strong defense leading to a JACKSON SIMONS goal at the 11:25 mark of the period. Halse recorded a crucial stop to steady the lead, as Donahue pushed the lead to three at the halfway mark of the stanza. The home side countered with a pair of goals, capitalizing on an extra-man opportunity to bring the Gophers within one. Goucher continued to push for the equalizer, tallying another attempt in the final minute but would go into the final quarter down 8-7.
• Montclair looked to add to the advantage with the combination of Kelly and Slusser, but the Goucher defense forced a turnover leading to the leveling goal with 10:52 remaining in the contest. After blocking a shot on the next possession, the Gophers cleared the ball leading to the go-ahead marker with just over nine minutes on the clock. Halse came up with a huge save after Goucher won the ensuing face-off, and Montclair countered with their own equalizer on a strike from Vierbuchen. The Red Hawks searched for the winning goal, recording four shots over the next six minutes, and after a timeout from the home side, Slusser found the back of the net with 59 seconds on the clock to vault the visitors ahead. Montclair did not allow a shot the rest of the way, sealing the road victory to kick off 2026.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Slusser led the way with a hat trick in his Montclair debut, adding an assist. Vierbuchen, in his return to the Red Hawks after transferring back into the program, notched a trio of goals as well.
• Kelly added a multi-goal performance with a pair of goals while adding an assist.
• Halse registered the victory in goal for the Red Hawks while tallying six saves.
• Montclair held a 40-32 advantage in shots for the afternoon.
• The Red Hawks have won their season opener in each of the last four seasons.

FROM THE FIELD

"We obviously played well enough to win today. Goucher played us very tough but when we needed to make a few big plays, our team quickly matured and got it done. Nice to get the first one under our belt and excited to get to go again tomorrow at home!" - Head Coach Matt Poskay

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will return home to complete the second half of a back-to-back, hosting Gwynedd Mercy on Sunday, February 15. Opening face-off from Sprague Field is scheduled for 1:30 PM.