Montclair State University Athletics

Montclair, NJ – The Montclair State University Men's Soccer team surged past Christopher Newport 6-0 on Saturday evening at MSU Soccer Park for its fifth shutout victory of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (7-2-0) battled the Captains to a scoreless opening 20 minutes, but would generate an opportunity in the 23rd minute as KEVIN CONTRERAS was taken down in the box. SEBASTIAN LAPCZYNSKI stepped up to the spot and chipped a shot towards the right post to push the home side in front. Montclair continued to push on the front foot with a pair of shot attempts over the next five minutes before the Captains were called for a hand ball in the box. The Christopher Newport keeper stood tall, however, parrying the penalty kick attempt out to the left to keep the margin at one.
• Montclair doubled their advantage in the 31st minute, as THOMAS PUGLIESE gathered the ball on the far side of the field and lifted a ball over the top of the defense to ROBBY DASLER on the edge of the box along the near side of the field. The freshman cut back towards goal to shed a defender and sent a left-footed shot past the keeper towards the back post. Coming out of the halftime break, the Red Hawks tacked on another marker, as Pugliese won possession just inside midfield and immediately sent the ball over the top towards the far side for Contreras, who ripped an acrobatic right-footed one-time shot past the keeper coming off the line.
• Contreras helped add the fourth of the evening for the Red Hawks in the 57th minute, as he maneuvered past a defender along the far touch line, made a run towards the end line, and sent a centering ball towards the front of goal. An unmarked KENET LOPEZ flicked a right-footed shot past the keeper immediately to add to the offensive showcase for the home side. Christopher Newport searched for their first goal of the night seven minutes after, as a shot sailing towards the bar was pushed over the net by PIERRE SOUMEILLANT.
• Shortly after, Soumeillant skied a goal kick over all 20 field players to TOMAS MONTEIRO, who made a run past a defender and poked a low right-footed shot into the back of the net. Montclair added their final strike of the night in the 76th minute, as MAX PERRY helped win possession just past midfield, pushing the ball to IVAN GARCIA, who moved towards goal and rocketed a shot from well outside the box that froze the keeper towards the left post, sealing the dominant six-goal victory for the Red Hawks at home.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Lapczynski notched his first goal of the season, remaining perfect from the penalty spot for his collegiate career at 6-for-6.
• Contreras collected a goal and an assist for the second time over Montclair's last three games, increasing his season totals to four goals and two assists. 
• Monteiro pushed his goal total to a team and New Jersey Athletic Conference leading eight on the year. Lopez has scored in back-to-back games, with Garcia and Dasler each registering their second goal of the season.
• Pugliese tallied a pair of assists for the first time in his career, moving his 2026 total to three, which is tied for second on the team. The assist for Perry was his first of the year and second of his collegiate career.
• Soumeillant collected three saves and his sixth victory between the posts for the Red Hawks this season. He has notched clean sheets in back-to-back contests. His assist marked the second of his career as he became the first Montclair goalkeeper to record multiple assists in their career since Mike Saalfrank during the 2018 campaign.
• The Red Hawks have scored six or more goals in three games for the first time since 2021. Their 32 goals lead the NJAC, seven more than the next highest team. Across the nation, Montclair ranks third in goals scored.
• Montclair held a 27-10 advantage in shots, including a 11-3 mark with attempts on goal. The Red Hawks have allowed just 25 shots on goal through nine games, allowing just five goals all year for a 0.56 goals per game average.
• The shutout victory for Montclair was their fifth of the year, as they have outscored opponents 24-0 in five games at MSU Soccer Park.

FROM THE FIELD

"Really strong performance tonight from our group, putting together a complete game in all facets. We were able to create scoring opportunities in a variety of ways while putting together another solid defensive effort. We'll enjoy this one, and then get ready for a quick turnaround on Monday night." - Head Coach Todd Tumelty

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will continue their homestand against Centenary on Monday, September 28. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:00 PM.