Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ. – The Montclair State University women's flag football team (12-1) hosted its final regular-season game of the season, surging forward for a 30-7 victory against St. Joseph's-Brooklyn on Wednesday evening.

How It Happened

• The Red Hawks started with possession and put together a solid 11-play, 64-yard drive. HADDIYAH BELL showed off her arms and legs on the opening drive, breaking off runs of 11 and 12 yards and connecting with SERENITY MUHAMMAD and MAYA ANICO for gains of 16 and nine, respectively. The drive did fall short of the endzone at the Brooklyn nine.
• The Bears' opening drive resulted in a punt, and the Red Hawks took over at the SJB 39-yard line. The ground game paced the drive, and EMILY DEL ROSARIO punched in the first score from five yards out for a 6-0 lead.
• Both defenses held the others to minimal yards. St. Joseph's only gained one yard on five plays and were forced to punt, but created an interception and a return of 35 yards to the MSU 35. Montclair held strong and took over from their own 34. They drove the ball to the Bears' 14, where on fourth and goal, Bell fired a ball to the back of the endzone for a completion and a score, making the game 12-0 before half.
• St. Joseph's took the ball at the beginning of the third quarter, but punted after eight plays. GENEVIEVE FARA carried the ball on the first play from scrimmage of the second half for Montclair, weaved through defenders, and broke away for a 44-yard score, which pushed the lead to 18-0.
• Montclair had one more drive in the third quarter result in a score. Bell took a shot down the field to Muhammad and connected for a 37-yard touchdown that was called back due to a flag-guarding penalty, and put the ball on the SJB 12. Bell used her legs to score on the next play and took a 24-0 lead.
• The Bears did not get shut out with a score on the next drive. On fourth and two from their own 18, they took a shot over the middle of the field. The completion was made around midfield, and the receiver broke through a few Red Hawks defenders on her way to a 62-yard score, the biggest play given up by this stout Montclair defense all season. They converted the extra point to make the score 24-7.
• The Red Hawks finished the scoring on the evening during a 10-play, 66-yard drive. Fara once again made an electric run. She took the handoff and hit the edge and outraced defenders for a 27-yard score and stamped a 30-7 win under the lights.

Inside the Numbers

• Bell once again showed off her dual-threat ability with 87 yards passing and a score, and rushing for 105 yards and a score. She ran for her second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance and has scored a touchdown in every game this season she has played in.
• Fara displayed her versatility on both offense and defense. She carried the ball three times for 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns. She also led defensively with 10 total tackles and had two tackles for loss.
• BRI CARTER continued her pressure on opposing quarterbacks with three sacks in the game.
• Montclair finished its inaugural regular season with a 12-1 overall record, which included a perfect 8-0 showing at Sprague Field.
• The Red Hawks' first season has gained national attention. Montclair was recently ranked the #19 team in the nation according to womenscollegeflagfootball.com's Top 25 Poll

From the Field

• "Proud of our efforts tonight to finish the regular season with a win at home. Pleased with our progress as a group as we prepare for the upcoming ECAC playoffs this weekend." Head Coach Jim Kelly

Up Next

• Montclair enters the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament as the top seed and will advance directly to the semifinals on Sunday, May 3. They will face either Franciscan, Wagner, or Mount Saint Mary at 10:00 a.m. at the New York Jets practice facility in Florham Park, NJ.