HOBOKEN, N.J. (September 9, 2009) – Despite holding a decisive 22-8 shot advantage the Stevens Institute of Technology women’s soccer team fell to 0-4 on the season after a disappointing 2-0 loss to Montclair State University at the De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, N.J. Buoyed by a pair of Jackie McGrath (Vernon, N.J.) goals, the Red Hawks moved 2-1 on the season, while the Ducks remain in search for that elusive first win of the 2009 campaign.
Stevens applied pressure from the opening whistle, nearly capitalizing on a couple of chances in the early going. Freshman Gia Gonzales got the Ducks’ first good look, placing a shot on goal at the 2:35 mark off a cross from junior forward Katria Misilo. Continuing to push forward, Stevens once again nearly took the lead in the 11th minute, when senior Katelyn Stewart’s volley from 25-yards out, caromed off the crossbar.
Montclair State would generate scoring chances of their own in the 15th and 20th minutes, respectively; first when a Christina Nunes (Morris Hills, N.J.) shot earmarked for the top left corner prompted a diving save by Ducks’ sophomore netminder Kaitlin McClymont, then again when an offside call negated what would have been the match’s first tally.
Stevens would again go on the offensive in the 24th minute when Misilo streaked down the right side of the pitch on a breakaway, but the Short Hills, N.J. native pushed the shot just wide, hitting the side of the netting resulting in a Red Hawks’ goal kick.
Montclair State would finally break through at 40:35 when McGrath placed a Christina Caamano (Linden, N.J.) cross from the right side into the back of the net, to give the Red Hawks a 1-0 edge at the half.
The Ducks would continue to control possession at the start of the second half, nearly tying the game on Paige Allen’s try in the 53rd minute, but MSU would add an insurance goal at 73:09 when McGrath once again found room in the middle of the box, netting her second marker of the evening off an assist from junior back Nicole Anulewicz (Woodbridge, N.J.).
Stevens, which outshot the Red Hawks 13-3 in the first half, before holding a 9-5 advantage in the second, placed nine shots on goal to Montclair State’s four. Red Hawks senior goalkeeper Leah Tepperman (North Andover, Mass.) made nine saves for her second win of the season.
The Ducks will look to capture their first wins of the season on September 12 and 13 when they host the Sixth Annual Engineering Cup featuring Allegheny College, New York University, and Ursinus College.
