Montclair State University Athletics

New Paltz, NY – The #25 Montclair State University Women's Soccer team took down New Paltz 5-0 to open New Jersey Athletic Conference play on Wednesday afternoon.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Red Hawks (7-1-1, 1-0-0 NJAC) took the lead in the 11th minute on their second shot attempt of the afternoon, as SAMIRA LUKOVIC placed an in-swining corner kick into the box that was immediately headed in by SHANNON MULLINS. Four minutes later, Montclair doubled their advantage, as a ball headed by a New Paltz defender found the feet of LAUREN VINELLA, who cut towards the middle of the park and slotted a through ball to ISABELL KRONOW. The striker made an unmarked run towards goal and slotted in a right-footed shot past the feet of the keeper.
• Montclair continued to push on the front foot in the opening stanza, as the Red Hawks drew up another set piece off a corner kick in the 19th minute, with Lukovic looping in another service that was headed by the keeper by Mullins for the second time. Two minutes later, New Paltz tallied their first attempt of the day with a shot on goal that was parried away by MACKENZIE SIBELLO. The visitors tallied a trio of shots on target over the remainder of the half, with Sibello notching another stop to keep the margin at three going into the break.
• After Mullins registered another shot on goal in the beginning moments of the second half, the Red Hawks tacked on their fourth strike of the day in the 51st minute. With play concentrated along the far touch line, Kronow tucked a ball through to MARY LANE, who cut through a defender along the far edge of the box and chipped a ball over the keeper towards the far post. Sibello recorded a save right off the restart, with the Red Hawks collecting another pair of shots over the next 20 minutes as the half approached its midway point.
• New Paltz searched for their first of the day in the 71st minute, as the Hawks saw an attempt go out above the crossbar. Montclair scored their final goal of the day nine minutes after, as IZZY MATOS maneuvered through a defender along the near end line and ripped a ball towards the front of goal. After the ball passed through the keeper's hands, Lane was on the other side to place a shot into the low right corner of the net. Sibello tallied one final save in the 84th minute, helping seal the road shutout victory for the Red Hawks.

INSIDE THE RESULTS

• Mullins notched a brace to increase her season goal total to four. The contest marked her third multi-goal performance of her career.
• Lane collected a pair of goals as a substitute, marking her first collegiate brace. She is tied for second on the team in goals for the campaign.
• Kronow pushed her team-leading goal number to seven, having notched a goal contribution in all but two of Montclair's games this season. Her assist moved her into a tie for the team lead with five.
• Lukovic's two assists were her first of the season and also her first multi-assist game of her collegiate career. 
• Matos notched her first collegiate assist on Montclair's final goal of the day, with Vinella picking up her first of the campaign and second of her career.
• Sibello collected four saves and her third clean sheet of the season in goal for the Red Hawks. 
• Montclair outshot New Paltz 16-5 for the game, including a 12-4 edge in shots on goal. 
• The Red Hawks have won their NJAC opener in each of the past two seasons and five of the last six years.

FROM THE FIELD

"It's important to get every point you can in NJAC games. We are excited to get three on the road against a good New Paltz." - Head Coach Pat Naugher

UP NEXT

The Red Hawks will host Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, October 3 as part of the University's Homecoming Celebration. Kickoff from MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 12:00 PM.