Montclair, NJ – In its first ever contest, the Montclair State University Women's Flag Football team cruised past Mercy 53-6 at Sprague Field on Monday evening.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (1-0, 1-0 ECAC) fell behind on the opening drive, as Mercy intercepted a pass on the goal line, returning it the length of the field to break open the scoring on a pick-six. Montclair countered on the point after try, picking off a pass of their own and returning it the length of the field for a pair of points. The Mavericks stood tall defensively on the ensuing drive, as the Red Hawks pushed 61 yards down the field before Mercy tallied a sack on a fourth and goal situation.
• Montclair surged ahead with an interception returned for a touchdown by GIANNAMARIE GREENHALGH from the Mercy eight yard line, and would later push out to 13-6 in the early stages of the second quarter on the third pick-six of the afternoon with a grab from SOFIA DEL GROSSO. After forcing a punt on the next drive, HADDIYAH BELL completed a pass to MAYA ANICO, who accumulated 28 yards en route to a touchdown to make the score 19-6 with just over five minutes on the clock. The Red Hawks forced a turnover on downs for Mercy's next possession, with Bell lacing another touchdown pass to Greenhalgh in the waning moments of the half to push the lead to 25-6, which they would take into the break.
• Coming out of the break, SERENITY MUHAMMED tallied an interception on the opening drive for the Mavericks, leading to a rushing touchdown from Bell at the 11:46 mark of the quarter. The Montclair defense generated yet another turnover, with KADIDJA BRAXTON picking off a pass to set up first and goal with four minutes gone by in the stanza. Mercy tried to push for points, but would turn it over on downs during their next possession, setting up first and goal for Montclair, which they would convert with a touchdown run from NYLEA UNDERWOOD in the final stages of the third frame.
• After forcing another interception on Mercy's first drive of the fourth, the Red Hawks were set up with first and goal again, but the Mavericks defense stood tall forcing a stop at the two yard line. Del Grosso picked off a pass on the next drive, with Underwood finding the endzone for a second time with just under six minutes remaining. The Red Hawks forced another turnover down the stretch, capping off a strong opening day performance with one more touchdown down the stretch to make the final score 53-6. 

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Bell finished the day with 60 yards through the air and 35 on the ground, totaling three touchdowns.
• Underwood collected a trio of touchdowns on 45 yards rushing, with GENEVIEVE FARA collecting a score of her own on the ground. 
• Montclair amassed 269 yards of offense on the day, averaging almost 10 yards a play. Defensively, the Red Hawks forced seven interceptions and held the Mavericks to just two yards of offense for the game. 
• The victory marked Montclair's first in program history, coming in their inaugural game.

FROM THE FIELD

"Very proud of our team effort in the first women's flag football game in the history of Montclair State Athletics. Everyone received valuable playing time that will hopefully pay off as we make our journey through the inaugural ECAC schedule." - Head Coach Jim Kelly

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will travel to Eastern on Tuesday, March 17, with game time scheduled for 4:30 from St. Davids, PA.