Photo Courtesy of montclairathletics.com
After failing to capture the NJAC title and losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Montclair State Field Hockey team looks to bounce back in the new fall season.
The Red Hawks ended their season with back-to-back 1-0 losses. The first was against The College of New Jersey in the NJAC Championship game back in the beginning of November. Almost a week later, Saint Joseph’s College blanked the Red Hawks. It’s these blemishes that should motivate the Red Hawks.
Through last season, Montclair State went 16-6 and 5-1 against NJAC opponents. It was their best season since they were NJAC Champions back in 2013. Montclair State also outscored their opponents 55-25 during the season.
The Red Hawks ruled on home turf, going 10-1, with the lone loss coming against a nonconference foe. Montclair State was not as successful on the road, going 4-5.
Taking all these facts from last season, Montclair State has a lot to prove this season. The season started at the very beginning of the month. The Red Hawks beat Eastern University in St.David’s, Pennsylvania, 3-1. This is the Red Hawks seventh straight victory to start a season, and they overpowered Eastern University. Montclair State got their scoring from Junior Amber Haslett, Sophomore Kelly Watson, and Freshman Kaitlyn Prestinari, her first in her collegiate career.
With one game in the books, and a whole season ahead of them, there are a couple of important games to look out for. Montclair State looks to take down TCNJ in a NJAC Championship rematch on October 7th at home. The Red Hawks have their first of five straight home games on September 16th against Skidmore College. The regular season ends at home against Babson College on October 28th, with the NJAC Tournament beginning on November 1st.
