MONTCLAIR, N.J. – Both teams played nearly identical, but it was the No. 6 Vassar field hockey team coming out with the 1-0 win over No. 10 Montclair State on Wednesday evening. Junior Grace Amell (West Hartford, CT) scored the lone goal at the 20^th minute off a Cristina Lopez (Timonium, MD) feed to secure the victory. The Brewers are now 6-0 and off to their best start in program history. The Red Hawks suffer their first loss and move to 5-1.

Shots were matched 11-11 by the end of the night, but Montclair held a slight 8-6 penalty corner advantage. Only three total shots were taken in the first quarter, and the Red Hawks nearly got on the board first off a penalty corner when Keeley Winn fired the shot on goal. Junior Ally Aquilina-Piscitello (Lexington, MA) reached out just enough to secure the defensive save and keep the game scoreless. Senior Stephanie Palma (Manhasset, NY) made one shot attempt in the final minute, but Red Hawks' goalkeeper Nicole Andriani tallied the save.

Vassar's offense picked up early in the second quarter with Rylie Pope (San Diego, CA) and Lopez putting the pressure on the Andriani. The Brewers broke through when Lopez slipped a pass from the left side to Amell who was waiting three yards outs. Amell then flipped the ball over the keeper to take the 1-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Vassar did not allow a single Red Hawks' shot and almost scored again after three consecutive shots on goal from Pope and Sam Plante (Watertown, MA) in the 36^th minute. Two minutes into the fourth, Montclair began pushing the tempo. Freshman goalkeeper Jules Smith (Mullica Hill, NJ) deflected two early shots from Elizabeth Cimilluca. The Vassar backline showed its toughness as well when Nikki Pallotta (Clarence, NY) and Lopez both recorded crucial defensive saves off a final Montclair penalty corner.

Smith had five saves and made her second shutout of the season. Montclair's Andriani tallied eight saves.

Vassar returns home on Sat. Sept. 21 to play Ramapo at 1 p.m.