Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University men's lacrosse team looks to continue its perfect season as it battles against Manhattanville on Wednesday evening.
 
GAME INFO
The matchup at Sprague Field is set for a 4:00 p.m. start. Live coverage links can be found at montclairathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair grabbed the Tom Leanos Cup for the second-straight season after a 14-6 triumph in the championship game against host Drew. The Red Hawks (5-0) received a save in the opening minute from NICHOLI HALSE, leading to the game's opening goal on the other end on a strike from BRIAN KELLY. Drew answered three minutes later with the leveler, but Montclair countered at the 7:05 mark as KAI DONAHUE slotted a feed to RYAN VIERBUCHEN for the go-ahead goal. After winning the ensuing faceoff, the Red Hawks would double their lead on the ensuing possession as MAX MOROSOFF found the back of the net. JACOB HOLICKI won another faceoff right after, resulting in Montclair's fourth goal of the day as Morosoff found HENRY NORDSTROM with 4:45 left. The Rangers closed out the period with a goal with 36 seconds on the clock to make the score 4-2 after 15 minutes. Drew cut the gap to one just under four minutes into the second stanza, but Kelly would respond with another strike at the 8:33 mark to halt the Ranger rally. Four minutes later, Morosoff generated a turnover in the Drew half of the field, with CORBIN QUINTERO scooping up the ground ball and feeding Kelly for a marker in front of the net to vault Montclair back in front by three. The Red Hawks continued to push offensively over the remainder of the half, registering four shots over the final four minutes, but the two sides would go into the break with the score 6-3. The two sides battled to a scoreless eight minutes to begin the second half, with Halse tallying a pair of saves. Montclair would break the game open over the remainder of the quarter, beginning with a goal from JACKSON SIMONS off an assist from Morosoff. Holicki won the next faceoff, and after a penalty for the Rangers, Vierbuchen converted the man-up opportunity to push the lead to five. Right after, Holicki forced a turnover from Drew, leading to another strike from Kelly with 5:35 on the clock. Morosoff would cap off the run in the stanza with an unassisted marker with three minutes to go, as the Rangers notched a goal in the waning moments to cut the difference to 10-4. Montclair and Drew traded goals in the opening five minutes of the fourth, with JONATHAN SLUSSER scoring on a man-up chance for the Red Hawks. As the final period crossed its midway point, Donahue increased the lead to seven following another goal contribution from Morosoff. Slusser scored again with 3:10 on the clock, and after Vierbuchen caused a turnover following the faceoff, he charged towards the goal and ripped a shot into the back of the net for Montclair's final goal of the day. Drew would score shortly after to cut the game to 14-6, which would be the final tally of the afternoon.
 
 
TEAM LEADERS
MONTCLAIR STATE (5-0)
Goals: BRIAN KELLY, 18
Assists: RYAN VIERBUCHEN, 7
Points: BRIAN KELLY, 24
Shots: BRIAN KELLY, 27
Ground Balls: CARTER FINNEN, 23
Caused Turnovers: CORBIN QUINTERO, 13
Faceoff Wins: JACOB HOLICKI, 59
Saves: NICHOLI HALSE, 47
Wins: NICHOLI HALSE, 5
 
MANHATTANVILLE (1-4)
Goals: Frank Tallerico, 6
Assists: Frank Tallerico, 5
Points: Frank Tallerico, 11
Shots: Nick Corace, 17
Ground Balls: Francisco Rosas, 18
Caused Turnovers: Francisco Rosas, 9
Faceoff Wins: Chris Guazzo, 14
Saves: Joe Ulzheimer, 40
Wins: Joe Ulzheimer, 1


SCOUTING MANHATTANVILLE
The Valiants enter the Wednesday tilt with a 1-2 overall record after suffering a 22-7 loss at the hands of Massachusetts Maritime on Saturday. Last season, Manhattanville posted a 5-12 overall record, but a 4-3 record in Skyline play helped them qualify for postseason play. They were, however, defeated in the semifinals by Farmingdale State, 18-6. According to the 2026 Skyline Preseason Poll, the Valiants are slated to finish fourth again this season.

SERIES HISTORY
The Red Hawks and the Valiants enter matchup number 19 against each other this Wednesday. Montclair has dominated the series with a 17-1 record and are on a 15-game winning streak.    

LAST MEETINGS
Montclair and Manhattanville matched up last season in the Tom Leanos Cup, where Montclair came away with a 16-8 win.    

UP NEXT
Men's lacrosse is on the road on Saturday, March 14 for a 1:00 p.m. matchup at Widener.