The Red Hawks put forward a 2-0 week to improve to 11-2-2.
Photo courtesy of MSU Sports
Senior forward Martina Landeka earned the title of New Jersey Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week on Oct. 19. Landeka scored in the Red Hawks’ victory over Kean University on Oct. 14 and knocked in two more goals in their win against Rutgers-Camden on Oct. 17.
The Red Hawks moved up three spots into the No. 19 rank in the D3Soccer.com Top 25 poll and are ranked second in NJAC. The team started off their week with a 2-1 conference win over Kean University (9-5-1).
Senior midfielder Shawna Grabowski helped Montclair State get off to a quick start when she scored the game’s first goal 13 minutes into the first half. Just 12 minutes later, Grabowski again figured into the scoring when she assisted on Landeka’s fourth goal of the season. Landeka was able to head one in to give the Red Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Montclair State outshot the Cougars 6-0 in the final 20 minutes of the first half, but were unable to expand their lead.
Freshman goalie Erinne Finlayson was forced to make her first save off a header at the 50:02 mark. The Red Hawks committed a foul in the box and Kean University’s Deanna Columbia successfully converted the opportunity to cut the score down to 2-1. However, the team was able to hold steady and secure the 2-1 victory.
The Red Hawks faced Rutgers-Camden (3-8-1) and came away with a commanding 5-0 win. Freshman midfielder Ashley Koester knocked one in at the 15:51 mark to open up the scoring for Montclair State.
The Red Hawks remained in control and senior forward Stefanie Gomes rocketed one past the Rutgers-Camden goalie with five minutes left in the first half.
Landeka scored two goals in the second half to break the game wide open and give the team a 4-0 lead. The Red Hawks ultimately won 5-0 after a goal off a free kick by Senior Claire Midili late in the game.
Montclair State outshot Rutgers-Camden 19-2 and Freshman goalie Molly Barrow earned her second shutout of the season.
After hosting Ramapo College on Oct. 21 for their last home game of the year, the team will go on the road to face Swarthmore College and Rutgers-Newark to close out the season.
