Box Score Box Score

MONTCLAIR, N.J. - Senior goalkeeper Briana Earle made a game-high 12 saves, but the Renssealer field hockey team was unable to solve the Montclair State defense, falling 4-0, this afternoon in the season opener. With the win, the Red Hawks improve to 2-0, while the Engineers open the season at 0-1.

Sophomore midfielder Brittany Carroll (Kingston, NY / Rondout Valley) sandwiched a pair of goals around two scores by junior forward Kate Norgard (Columbia, NJ / North Warren) as Montclair State moved to 2-0 on the season with a 4-0 victory over Rensselaer in the Red Hawks' home opener on Saturday.

Junior midfielder Michelle Hagel (Fairfield, NJ / West Essex) collected a pair of assists as Montclair has opened the season with consecutive wins for the eighth time in the last 10 years. MSU also improved to 6-1 all time against the Engineers, who were playing their season opener.

Montclair quickly took a 1-0 lead as Carroll scored the first of her two goals 2:49 into the contest. Off a penalty corner, Hagel drove ball from 10 yards in front toward the cage where Carroll was able to get a stick on it and knock it past Earle for her first tally of the season a one-goal advantage for MSU.

Earle would keep the score there as she made six saves over the next 23 minutes until the Red Hawks struck again. Norgard picked up a ball along the right side and drove toward the cage and an oncoming Earle, who came out off her line. In a race before colliding, Norgard was able to chip the ball over Earle for the score as Montclair State led 2-0 at the break.

Meanwhile the Red Hawk defense clamped down on RPI allowing just one shot through the first 35 minutes.

In the second half, it was Earle and MSU keeper Megan Bosland (Boonton, NJ / Boonton) that provided most of the highlights with a combined six saves in the first 12 minutes. Earle made one stop on Carroll five minutes in and Bosland counter with a blocker save on Kierstan Ryan (Levittown, PA / Harry S. Truman) at 41:04. Bosland then came up with three saves on one possession five minutes later as Montclair maintained its 2-0 lead.

Norgad then added to the lead just over a minute later as Montclair again took advantage of a penalty corner. After the ball was inserted, Hagel collected a free ball and found Norgard at the top of the cicle. Norgard fired a shot inside the left post past a screened Earle for her second score of the contest.

Norgard nearly got the hat trick however her unlucky break turned into a fortunate one for Carroll as MSU converted a third penalty corner chance. Norgard fired off a first shot that was kicked away by Earle. But the rebound came back to Norgard, who rifled another shot that clanked off the post. The ball then bounced right to the doorstep on the left side where Carroll drilled in the rebound for her second goal of the game with 7:35 to play.

Bosland finished with six saves for Montclair State, which outshot RPI, 24-8. The Red Hawks also had a slight edge in penalty corners at 10-9.