Women’s soccer team will play Messiah College on Nov. 15.
Photo courtesy of Montclair State University Athletics
The Montclair State women’s soccer team defeated Springfield College on Nov. 14 during the first game of the NCAA DIII tournament. With this win, the team has advanced to the second round of the tournament and will face Messiah College on Nov. 15.
The Red Hawks hadn’t played since their sudden loss to Rutgers-Newark on Oct. 31, but they resumed their season in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Sophomore forward Tyler Madison, the team’s leading goal scorer, picked up right where she left off and scored at the 13:53 mark. Junior forward Jennie Hornstra sent a shot to the net, but the Springfield goalkeeper deflected it and Madison was able to knock in the rebound. Just over 10 minutes later, Hornstra converted on her second opportunity and gave the Red Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Montclair State forced Ciara Boucher, Springfield’s goalkeeper, to make three saves in the first half, but the Pride reversed course in the second half. Freshman goalkeeper Erinne Finlayson was tested and made a save in the first 37 seconds of the half. Shortly after, another two shots were sent her way, but Finlayson was able to come up with the saves.
The Red Hawks were being outshot 8-1, but senior forward Martina Landeka headed in a corner kick at the 72:22 mark to give the team a 3-0 lead. They held onto the lead and will now go up against Messiah College.
Messiah College is the no. 1 ranked team in the entire tournament and they are coming off a 6-0 victory against the College of Staten Island. Messiah has a 19-0-2 record and has only given up three goals the entire season.
Montclair State will face the Falcons at 1 p.m. in Grantham, Pennsylvania.
