Montclair, NJ. – The Montclair State University women's lacrosse team (5-5) was tripped up in its final non-conference contest of the season, suffering a 15-12 defeat at the hands of Connecticut College (3-9) on Wednesday afternoon.

How It Happened

• The Red Hawks forced a shot clock violation on the first Camels possession. CARA MCCARTNEY had a good shot opportunity, but had it saved. Both teams traded possessions until KYRA MORENA connected with KAELEY SEK for the game's first goal at the 7:53 timestamp. Montclair regained possession, but relinquished the ball, and the turnover turned into a Connecticut goal. Kaydrianna Toledo retook the lead for Montclair on a free-position goal with 5:34 remaining in the opening stanza, but the Camels battled back with four unanswered goals before the first quarter horn and took a 5-2 lead into the second period.
• Montclair rattled off three shots in the first two minutes of the second, but all missed the mark. JOEY GROTKOPF made an excellent save at the 12:32 timestamp, but Connecticut scored two quick goals after and pushed its lead to 7-2. AMRA LUKOVIC took advantage of another free position attempt for Montclair, and that sparked a Red Hawk rally. Toledo scored her second free-position goal shortly after at 8:50, and Lukovic rocketed in another one off an assist from CARA MCCARTNEY during a man-up situation to cut the lead to 7-5. The Camels tried to gain some ground again, but Grotkopf made three saves between 6:19 and 4:53. LUCIANA FERRARA eventually caused a turnover that set up another goal from Sek, this time assisted by LEXI ROBINSON, and the half ended with Connecticut holding a one-goal lead of 7-6.
• A Red Hawk green card on the opening draw set up a Connecticut goal just under two minutes into the second half. Robinson kept the game close at the 10:37 mark, spinning around a defender to score. Another Camel goal was answered by one from Montclair, with Lukovic nabbing her third goal of the game with 8:00 remaining. Connecticut scored two more goals down the stretch to take an 11-8 lead entering the final quarter.
• CARA MCCARTNEY put two shots on goal in the early minutes of the final period, but was stonewalled by the Camel goalkeeper. A goal at 13:35 put Connecticut up 12-8, and they extended the lead with a man-up goal just about two minutes later. Robinson and Sek each took advantage of a non-releasable yellow card to score and cut the lead to 13-10 with 8:57 remaining. Connecticut answered again with two more goals, and while Morena scored two more down the stretch, the lead was too much to overcome, and Montclair fell, 15-12.  

Inside the Numbers

• Sek and Lukovic each nabbed hat tricks in the game. They have both scored three or more goals in each of the past three games.
• Morena and Robinson each led in points with four on two goals and two assists. Morena has 10 points in the past two contests, while Robinson has a point in each contest this season.
• Grotkopf suffered the loss and made seven saves in the game.

From the Field

• Quote to be added.

Up Next

• Montclair renters conference play and heads to Stockton on Friday, April 17, for a 5:00 p.m. showdown.