Montclair State University Athletics

Florham Park, NJ. – The Montclair State University women's flag football team (12-2) saw its sensational 2026 campaign fall short in the ECAC Semifinals with a 13-0 loss against Franciscan, 13-0 on Sunday afternoon.

How It Happened

• Both teams were forced to punt on their opening drives. A nice return for the Barons set them up at their own 39-yard line for the next drive. They drove into MSU territory, but the Red Hawks forced a turnover on downs on fourth and four to take possession.
• Montclair went in the wrong direction on the next drive and had to punt the ball back to Franciscan. From their own 25-yard line, the Barons marched down the field into goal-to-go territory. On fourth down, the Red Hawks were tacked with a pass interference penalty that gave them a fresh set of downs. MAYA ANICO and BRI CARTER both forced negative plays to continue a good goal line stand, but the Barons connected on a pass over the middle of the endzone for the game's first score and a 7-0 lead.
• The Red Hawks sought to respond on a nice ensuing drive. EMILY DEL ROSARIO hit the edge for a 12-yard gain, and HADDIYAH BELL lasered a ball into the hands of GIANNAMARIE GREENHALGH for a gain of 13. A fumbled snap on third and two turned into a fourth and seven, where Bell found Greenhalgh again, but was stopped short of the line to gain and turned the ball over on downs. The Barons went into the half up 7-0.
• Bell paced the next Red Hawk drive with a few nice runs of seven and nine before a great pass over the middle to Anico that went for 18. A penalty pushed the ball back, and they were eventually forced into a punt. Montclair punted the ball away to Franciscan, where they returned the ball from the goal line. The returner found a crease along the left sideline and ran the length of the field for an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown, and pushed the lead to 13-0.
• The final drive of the third quarter for the Red Hawks saw 11 plays and gained 37 yards on some short passes and runs, but once again fell short and were forced into a turnover on downs. Montclair's best opportunity to score came on its drive starting with 8:10 remaining in the game. Bell started the drive with a 15-yard run and threw a ball to Anico, who made an incredible back shoulder catch and run of 18. Greenhalgh caught the ball and ran down to the Barons seven yard line. On third and goal, another botched snap led to a loss of eight and put the Red Hawks in a tough position and they could not find the endzone.
• Montclair had one more drive to put points up, but only reached the Franciscan 14-yard line, and the clock hit zero with Franciscan reaching the ECAC Finals.

Inside the Numbers

• Bell finished 11-for-22 with 94 yards and 73 yards on the ground.
• Anico and Greenhalgh each caught four passes, with Anico gaining 46 yards and Greenhalgh gaining 31.
• GENEVIEVE FARA and Anico each had double-digit tackles. Fara had 12 to Anico's 11.

From the Field

• Quote to be added.

Up Next

• Montclair's inaugural season was exceptional as they finished with a 12-2 record and a 9-1 ECAC record that saw them become the league's first number-one seed in the playoffs.