MONTCLAIR, NJ – Junior forward Maddie Musico scored in the 89th minute to lift the Montclair State University women's soccer team past Vassar College in non-conference action on Wednesday evening. The Red Hawks move to 4-2-1, while the Brewers are now 2-3-1 on the season.
With time ticking off the clock, the Red Hawks earned a free kick in the Vassar end. The ball sailed toward the right side into a flurry of activity. Senior midfielder Christine Mayorga set up the game-winner, sending a cross through the crowded middle. Musico was there on the left side to boot it into the low corner of the goal.
The Brewers had possession as the clock expired, but could not grab the equalizer and force overtime.
It was a tight contest at the start as shots remained close between the squads in the opening half. Montclair State owned a slight 5-4 edge in shots, but the Brewers owned the advantage in corners by a 5-2 margin.
One of the Red Hawks strongest efforts came in the 21st minute as sophomore midfielder Emily DeGeyter blasted in a shot from the low center, which was saved by junior goalie
Fiona Walsh. The Brewers saw one of their best chances come with four seconds remaining in the first stanza when junior midfielder
Emily Longo sent a low shot in that was scooped up by MSU keeper Pheobe Bledsoe.
Second half action saw the possession favor Montclair State for a large majority of the frame, but Vassar had its chances mid-way through as Longo once again put pressure on Bledsoe. In a spurt of activity, she sent in back-to-back shots in the 70th minute, but was unable to convert.
For the game, Montclair State owned a 13-8 edge in shots, while the Brewers had a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.
In goal, Bledsoe recorded three stops, all from Longo for the win, while Walsh notched five staves in defeat.
Vassar returns to action on Saturday when it hosts Mount Saint Mary College at 11am on Gordon Field. That contest will be the Brewers' Play with Pride week contest, which is an initiative launched by United Soccer Coaches to show support for LGBTQ players, coaches, support staff, referees and fans everywhere.
