MONTCLAIR, NJ – An early goal and strong second half defense proved to be the difference as Montclair State University posted a 1-0 win over Vassar College in non-conference action on Wednesday evening. With the win, the Red Hawks are now 4-0, while the Brewers slip to 0-2-1 on the young season with the loss.

In the opening frame, the Red Hawks got things going early with the lone goal of the contest as Kimberly Campbell sent a low shot in from center off a pass from Kylie Pendergast to grab the 1-0 margin in the 10th minute. The Brewers nearly got on the board in the 36th minute as senior captain Violet Munnelly fired in a shot that missed just wide right.

Both teams played it incredibly tight throughout the remainder of the frame as Monclair State posted a pair of back-to-back shots that were blocked and went wide in the final minute of the stanza.
Coming out of the intermission, the Red Hawks nearly made it a 2-0 game as Lauren Ernst sent in a low shot, but Vassar junior goalie Teresa Zimmer was there for the stop in the 57th minute. Munnelly once again sent a shot in, which was blocked by the Montclair State defense, while rookie Livy Soble saw her shot in the 68th minute go left of the goal as the home team continued to hold the advantage.

Munnelly once again nearly grabbed the equalizer for the Brewers in the 82nd minute as her long shot sailed in, just saved in front by Montclair keeper Haley Martin to keep the score locked in the home team's favor.

With four minutes remaining in the contest, the Brewers were awarded a corner kick, crowding inside the box on the scoring attempt. Despite the numbers, Vassar was unable to bank the ball past Martin for the equalizer.

Vassar, which outshot Montclair State by a 7-6 margin for the contest, held the possession in the final minute but saw the ball stolen in the final 40 seconds as the Red Hawks held on for the narrow victory.
The Brewers also owned a 3-2 shots on goal advantage in the contest, while both teams were awarded a pair of corner kicks.

In goal, Martin recorded three saves in victory, while Zimmer posted one stop in the loss for Vassar.

The Brewers return to the pitch on Saturday in a 7pm game at the University of Scranton. Montclair State is also in action Saturday, traveling to Ursinus for a 4:30pm game.