Scranton, PA – The Montclair State University Women's Lacrosse team surged past Marywood in its season opener, 19-8, on Saturday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (1-0) battled the Pacers with a scoreless opening five minutes before KAELEY SEK rattled in the opening goal of the season on a man-up opportunity. Montclair continued to feature strong defense in the first frame, not allowing a shot over the ensuing seven minutes leading to a free position goal for CARA MCCARTNEY to double the advantage for the visitors. Sek notched another shot on frame off the resulting draw control, with Marywood registering their first attempt off a clear that was collected by JOEY GROTKOPF. With the clock ticking under a minute, LEXI ROBINSON fed AMRA LUKOVIC for a goal to make the margin three after the first 15 minutes of the afternoon.
• Marywood countered with a pair of goals in the first three minutes of the second stanza, with the Red Hawks answering off the next draw control with a goal from NORAH MONAGHAN. After another draw control from Lukovic, SOPHIA PICCINICH found Sek for her second marker of the day to reopen the gap of three. The home side responded, registering a free position goal on the next trip up the field to make the score 5-3 with 10 minutes on the clock. Montclair tallied three of the final four goals of the first half, including strikes from McCartney and Robinson over the final two and a half minutes, to make the score 8-4 at the break.
• Robinson scored on another free position opportunity on the first possession of the second half, and would later find McCartney to increase the difference to double-digits with 12:46 on the clock. After a draw control from Monaghan, the Red Hawks would add to their lead as Lukovic set her up to make the score 11-4, forcing a timeout from the Pacers. Grotkopf tallied a pair of saves over the next three minutes, leading to a man-down goal from Lukovic to extend the lead to eight. Montclair continued their offensive surge with Robinson's third free position goal of the afternoon as the quarter passed its midway marker, but Marywood answered with a pair of goals to cut into the deficit. The Red Hawks recorded their second man-down goal of the period with 63 seconds on the clock to go up 14-6 going into the final frame.
• Monaghan rattled in another marker on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, with Grotkopf tallying a key stop on a free position shot on the other end. The two sides traded goals over the next two and a half minutes and then held each other scoreless until 6:09 on the clock, when McCartney found the back of the net after a yellow card from the Pacers. With four and a half minutes remaining, ASHLEY CASTILLO fed MIA CUCCINELLO for a goal, with Castillo recording one of her own with 2:18. Marywood tallied a goal in the final minute, but could not get any closer as the Red Hawks sealed the season-opening road victory.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• McCartney matched her career-high with four goals, adding an assist. Monaghan also recorded four goals to lead the way for Montclair along with five draw controls.
• Robinson helped orchestrate the offense, collecting a trio of goals while adding a pair of assists. 
• Lukovic led the way with eight draw controls while adding two goals, with KYRA MORENA and Sek also notching multi-goal performances.
• Grotkopf registered the victory in goal for the Red Hawks, accumulating 10 saves.

FROM THE FIELD

"Great way to start the season! The win against Marywood was a total team effort. Looking forward to our home opener vs. Ithaca next weekend." - Head Coach Nicol Parcelluzzi

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will host Ithaca in their 2026 home opener on Saturday, February 21. First draw from Sprague Field is scheduled for 1:00 PM.