MONTCLAIR, N.J. – A late rally at Montclair State University soccer park was not enough as Montclair State men’s soccer dropped what could be their final game in 2024.
The Red Hawks, who earned the number two seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Tournament, found themselves with an opportunity to leave campus for the final time this season on a high note as they played host to the third-seeded Stockton Ospreys on Tuesday night.
Tim David | The Montclarion
The two teams met in the regular season just a week and a half prior in Galloway, and it was Stockton who was able to come away with the 1-0 victory. If revenge was on the minds of the Red Hawks, Tuesday’s first half didn’t show it.
It was all Ospreys in the first frame. While the early minutes mostly consisted of the two teams feeling each other out, by the 20th minute, Stockton had taken full control of offensive pressure.
After multiple opportunities in front of the crease, the tie would eventually be broken when Stockton midfielder Uche Wokocha took a free kick from just outside of the box. A laser to the top left corner gave freshman goalkeeper Alexander Velasquez no chance to make the stop. The visitors went ahead 1-0.
The Red Hawks hosted the NJAC semifinal match. Tim David | The Montclarion
The flurry of offense would not stop there. With Montclair State still on its heels, a deflected, then headed ball ended up behind Velasquez, and even with a valiant effort from senior defender Ian Chesney, the Ospreys walked away from the scramble with a two-goal lead heading into the intermission.
With their backs to the wall, the Red Hawks finally found a sense of urgency early in the second half. Several quality chances were created early out of the break, but no goals were to show for them.
After Montclair State forward Samuel Epitime was robbed at the net by Stockton goalkeeper Brady Barletta, hope began to dwindle away at the Montclair State Soccer Park. But just a minute later, Epitime was hip-checked in the box. His conversion on the ensuing PK pulled Montclair State within a goal with just over 20 minutes left to play.
Montclair State faced a 2-0 deficit at the half. Tim David | The Montclarion
Even with a reinvigorated home crowd and a spirited comeback pursuit, the Ospreys anchored down defensively and backed into a 1-2 upset on the road. The win catapults Stockton into the NJAC Tournament final, where they will play South Jersey foe Rowan University for what would be their first conference title since 2004.
The heartbreaking loss leaves Montclair State’s season in limbo.
Montclair State will need to attract an at-large bid in order to play in the NCAA Tournament. Tim David | The Montclarion
Without an automatic qualification for the NCAA tournament, the Red Hawks will need an at-large bid in order for their season to continue. In what was an adversity-filled year for men’s soccer, a gut-wrenching home loss may be how their 2024 campaign comes to an end.
