MONTCLAIR, N.J. – In a hard-fought game on Saturday night at Montclair State University Soccer Park, the No. seven Montclair State men’s soccer team lost to No. 23 Rowan, 1-0. The Red Hawks had multiple opportunities to score, but they could not capitalize, which resulted in their first New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) loss of the season.
The game opened with a solid defensive display from both teams. Only after the 19th minute, when Rowan made the first attempt, neither team could score.
Freshman goalkeeper Alexander Velasquez was tested by Profs forward Chris Spicer, but he made a save to keep the game scoreless.
Montclair State responded with its first real opportunity in the 31st minute when freshman defender Sebastian Lapczynski rose above the Prof back line and sent a strong header toward the goal. Rowan senior goalkeeper Dylan Aportela made an important save, tipping the ball over the crossbar. Lapczynski had another opportunity four minutes later, but Aportela again denied him.
Following a scoreless first half, both sides attempted to break the stalemate in the second half. Montclair State came out of the break with a renewed sense of urgency, taking the first three shots of the second half.
The Red Hawks were just inches away from taking the lead in the 52nd minute. Fifth-year Midfielder Osbin Mendez fired a shot that hit the crossbar, narrowly missing a spectacular goal.
Mendez said that Montclair State could not break through offensively.
“We had a ball drop in the eight-yard box, and we just didn’t finish it,” Mendez said. “I hit the crossbar, and it was frustrating. We had plenty of chances, but we didn’t capitalize.”
Montclair State had multiple opportunities to score throughout the match.
Wyatt Lardieri | The Montclarion Photo credit: Wyatt Lardieri
Rowan took the lead in the 63rd minute. A cross from the far side found midfielder Johnny Troiano, who dribbled past his defender and scored with a right-footed shot to give the Profs a 1-0 lead.
Montclair State made a strong effort to equalize. A minute later, midfielder Owen Murphy forced Aportela to make another save as the Red Hawks attempted to tie the score. The Red Hawks kept up the pressure, but Rowan’s defense held strong, blocking attempts and making crucial saves to maintain their lead.
In the 85th minute, Troiano’s shot struck the crossbar, nearly doubling the Profs’ lead. Shortly after, Velasquez made a crucial stop to keep the Red Hawks in the game, but Montclair State could not find a way through. In the final moments, senior defender Ian Chesney sent a shot just over the goal as time expired, sealing Rowan’s 1-0 win.
Montclair State held an 11-9 edge shots and a commanding 9-1 lead in corner kicks. There were four shots on goal for each team. Velasquez made three saves for the Red Hawks, and Aportela stopped four for Rowan.
Freshman Forward Kevin Contreras fights with a Prof for possession.
Wyatt Lardieri | The Montclarion Photo credit: Wyatt Lardieri
After the game, Montclair State head coach Todd Tumelty was disappointed in the result but praised his team’s effort.
“I thought we played well, and I don’t think we gave them many opportunities,” Tumelty said. “They got one chance and scored it. We had five, six, or seven opportunities, and we didn’t finish them. In a game like this, you’ve got to capitalize on those chances.”
The Red Hawks lost their first conference game in 2024.
Wyatt Lardieri | The Montclarion Photo credit: Wyatt Lardieri
Tumelty also acknowledged that the game’s physicality played a role in disrupting his team’s rhythm.
“There were a lot of fouls called, and that definitely slowed the game down,” Tumelty said. “In a high-intensity game like this, it’s going to happen, but it did make it difficult for us to get into a rhythm.”
Throughout the game, Rowan received four yellow cards, while Montclair only received one. The match was physical, and both teams were on edge the entire time, with several stoppages interfering with play.
The Red Hawks return to Montclair State University Soccer Park on Wednesday, Oct. 23, as they will try to bounce back against Ramapo College.
