The Montclair State University women’s soccer team thrashed the William Paterson University Pioneers 4-0. The win makes it three in a row for the Red Hawks, as they continue to close the gap in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) table.
Senior defender Emmi DeNovellis, who was out of the lineup due to injury, said that she still is making the most of her final season.
“It’ll hit me when they go back to preseason next year. We’re not here, it won’t hit me until then, but right now it’s still bittersweet,” said DeNovellis. “This doesn’t feel real, so it won’t hit me just yet, until after the season.”
Head coach Patrick Naughter said that the key to the team’s victory was their back line.
“We were excellent defensively, and moved the ball around very well,” said Naughter. “Today we made our breaks, we cashed in a couple of good finishes.”
The Red Hawks dominated the entire first half, maintaining most of the possession thanks to junior midfielder Emily Schuler, and sophomore midfielder Shannon Mullins.
Montclair State had major opportunities to give themselves the lead, but a shot from graduate midfielder Aileen Cahill inside the box went wide left of the goal. Graduate defender Tara Lambert and junior forward Kylie Prendergast each had two shots on goal, but they were saved.
Just before the first half ended, the Red Hawks would score their first goal of the game thanks to senior midfielder Nicole Ricci. Cahill passed through multiple defenders inside the box and connected with Ricci to shoot and score for the Red Hawks.
It would be Cahill’s fourth assist of the season, and Ricci’s second goal of the season.
Montclair State would make one more offensive push before the halftime whistle.
With eight seconds left, junior defender Sophia Gambuti got after the ball and crossed into the box.
Senior forward Niki Danz attempted a shot directly in front of the goalie, but it was saved. However, Mullins was there to collect the rebound and put the Red Hawks ahead 2-0 at the break.
Montclair State scored two goals in two minutes to close out the first half.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca
“It seems like we’re catching a couple of breaks,” said Naughter. “The second goal, the ball hits off the corner flag and stays in bounds. Cashed in a couple of finishes right before the half.”
In the second half the Red Hawks would continue to dominate the game, and junior forward Mackenzie Albert would make it 3-0. Albert shot it hard into the bottom left corner, and the assist was made by Gianna Curci.
“When she reached out to us about transferring, she’s a local kid, it took a little while for her to get her feet in,” Naughter said. “But she’s on an absolute heater, and she’s playing incredible soccer right now.”
Just a few minutes later, Albert would score yet again off a volley inside the box. A cross was whipped into the box by graduate defender Tara Lambert, and Albert waited for the ball to bounce to her before she could send it to the back of the goal.
Albert made it 4-0 for Montclair State, and now leads the team with seven goals this season.
DeNovellis said that the whole team played a complete game.
“People stepped up in big places today,” said DeNovellis. “Having Mackenzie Albert score two goals was awesome for us.”
Defensively, Montclair State played a nearly perfect game, as the Pioneers did not record a single shot the entire match. This is the first time this season that they have done so.
The Red Hawks allowed zero shots throughout the match, blanking the Pioneers.
Photo courtesy of Matt DeLuca Photo credit: Matt DeLuca
The Red Hawks moved to third place in the NJAC standings. DeNovellis said that the win was critical for the team as they approach the postseason.
“This game was really important because we’re tied with Stockton [University] right now in third place,” said DeNovellis. “William Paterson is in fifth, so this was big for the standings.”
