Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State field hockey team (1-2) battled hard against Vassar (2-1) on Wednesday night, but a trio of final-period goals sunk the Red Hawks by a score of 3-0. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Montclair came out of the blocks hot, generating three penalty corners in the first three minutes of the contest. MELISSA BICKFORD had the lone shot in that beginning stretch, but was stopped by the Vassar Goalie. Montclair continued to find opportunities on goal while earning corners throughout the first quarter. BELLA HEISER got another shot on goal off a great corner attempt at the 4:25 mark, but was once again denied by the Brewers keeper. The Red Hawks defense kept out Vassar by not allowing one shot on goal through the first. 
• Heading into the second, both defenses stayed in control, keeping away offensive opportunities. Montclair's EMMA BIANCO had her shot saved. OLIVIA ENT followed up with another shot attempt, but it was blocked by a Vassar defender halfway through the second frame. Montclair's defense continued to take control of the game, keeping the Brewers out of Red Hawk territory. Minutes prior to heading into halftime, COLLEEN MCGAVIN found an opportunity on goal that was just missed wide. Vassar's best opportunity to score a first-half goal came in the final minute with a penalty corner, but Montclair's defense held firm, not allowing a shot off the corner, and the game remained scoreless heading into halftime. 
• Defenses prevailed for most of the third quarter, limiting their opponents to just one shot apiece. Vassar had an early shot blocked by a Red Hawk defender. The lone shot of the third from Montclair came off the stick of Bickford that was once again stopped by the Vassar goalkeeper in the 42nd minute. 
• Opening up the final quarter, the Brewers broke through. Vassar took advantage of a penalty corner and collected a goal after retrieving their own rebound off a save from KAYLA BALSAMO at the 47:00 minute, setting the score 1-0. Minutes later, Vassar found the back of the cage again, scoring at the 11:40 mark in the fourth quarter. Following the goal, Montclair ran right back at the Brewers with a breakaway attempt, but a shot attempt by SAM SUBOKOW was denied by the keeper. Vassar struck again as a pass across the cage was buried and put the Brewers up 3-0 with just over six minutes remaining in regulation. The Red Hawks almost got on the board with an attempt from NATALIE SURMA, but a high-stick call nullified her goal in the closing seconds and solidified the road shutout for Vassar. 

INSIDE THE RESULTS 

• Despite the loss, Montclair State led the corner count 9 to 4.
• Bickford and Heiser both led the offensive opportunities for the Red Hawks, generating two shots on goal apiece. 
• Balsamo, in her first Montclair start, suffered the loss. She made four saves across the game.

FROM THE FIELD 

• "Vassar was another early-season challenging opponent for us. I'm proud of the adjustments we made following our first two games, and I thought we played with very good defensive discipline for the first three quarters. We need to take advantage of scoring opportunities earlier in the game.
  We are learning and growing each game. Saturday will be another challenging opponent, and we are excited for the opportunity to elevate our level of play." Head coach Eileen O'Reilly

UP NEXT 

• Montclair enters game two of its five-game homestretch, playing host to Franklin & Marshall on Saturday, September 12. The game is set to begin at noon.