Montclair, NJ – A trip to the NJAC playoffs is on the line for the Montclair State University women's lacrosse team as it travels to take on Kean on Saturday.
 
GAME INFO
First draw from Alumni Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m. Live coverage links can be found
found at montclairathletics.com.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Montclair was upended by #17 Rowan, 21-4 on Wednesday. LEXI ROBINSON won the first draw, and CARA MCCARTNEY saw a quick shot on goal, but had it saved. On the flip side, Rowan had a fast break opportunity shut down by JOEY GROTKOPF, who made a tremendous save. She made another save shortly after, but Rowan was able to collect the rebound and put the next shot into the net for the game's opening goal at 13:26. The game became a defensive battle for the course of the next eight minutes. Grotkopf came up big with another save, this time on a free-position shot at the 7:06 timestamp. The Profs finally broke through at 5:21 with a goal and followed up with two more shortly for a 4-0 lead. Montclair got on the board at the 2:08 mark when KYRA MORENA found AMRA LUKOVIC for a goal. The Profs scored two more in the final minute to put the lead at 6-1 entering the second. Rowan dominated the second quarter with nine unanswered goals and took a commanding 15-1 lead. On the lone shot of the quarter by the Red Hawks, McCartney found the back of the net with 44 seconds remaining, and the Prof lead went 15-2 into the second half. A yellow card on the Red Hawks led to a man-up goal three minutes in for the Profs. Montclair saw a few opportunities over the next seven minutes but was unable to generate a true threat. Rowan scored again at 5:59, but was answered by a Morena goal off a free position at 3:59. The Profs scored one more goal before the period break and pushed their lead to 18-3. The Profs scored three unanswered goals over the first half of the fourth quarter to take a 21-3 advantage. With under five minutes left to play, LEXI ROBINSON forced a turnover on a clear attempt that led to MIA CUCCINELLO scoring for a 21-4 score. The Red Hawks rattled off eight shots down the stretch, but were unable to score, and the game went final at 21-4.
 
MONTCLAIR STATE (5-7, 1-3 NJAC) 2026 Stats
 
KEAN (6-8, 1-3 NJAC) 2026 Stats
 
SCOUTING KEAN
The Cougars enter this game with a 6-8 overall record and a 1-3 NJAC record after besting Ramapo, 18-7 on Wednesday night. Kean is tied for fourth with Montclair, making this a win-and-get-in scenario for them as well. Last season, Kean was 4-10 and 1-4 in NJAC play and missed the conference tournament. According to the 2026 NJAC Preseason Poll, they were projected to finish fifth this season.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Montclair and Rowan face off for the 35^th time in their series. History favors the Red Hawks as they have a commanding 31-3 stretch that includes seven of the last eight wins.
 
LAST MEETING
These two teams met last season on April 26, where Montclair routed Kean by a score of 20-4.  
 
UP NEXT
Montclair State University, with a win, will advance to the NJAC tournament and will play in the semifinals on Wednesday, April 29. Time and location will be determined on Saturday evening.