MONTCLAIR, N.J. – The New Jersey City University (NJCU) women's soccer team dropped its New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) opener to Montclair State University (MSU), 3-0, on Saturday, Sept. 27 at MSU Soccer Park.

The Red Hawks (5-0-3, 1-0 NJAC) outshot the Gothic Knights (6-3, 0-1 NJAC) by a 9-5 margin, with both sides recording four shots on goal. MSU also dominated on corner kicks, earning 11 to NJCU's two, while the foul count leaned toward the Red Hawks, 11-5.

Senior goalkeeper Sophia Mannino (Burlington, N.J./Burlington Township) played all 90 minutes in net for NJCU, finishing with one save. The defensive unit — made up of seniors Jess Digristina (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), Gabriella Sharpe (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), and sophomore Kyanah-Belle Jean-Louis (Montreal, Canada/Washington Township (N.J.)) — also played the full match.

Offensively, all four NJCU shots came from seniors: Gineth Arias Martinez (Soacha Cundinamarca, Colombia/Institución Educativa Leon XII), Nyrohah Alvarenga (North Bergen, N.J./High Tech), Jess Digristina (Marlton, N.J./Cherokee), Gabriella Sharpe (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne), and Gabriela Rodriguez (Elizabeth, N.J./Frank J. Cicarell Academy). Sharpe's attempt was the only shot that missed was off target.

MSU opened the scoring in the 18th minute when Isabell Kronow notched her fourth goal of the season off an assist from Kylie Prendergast. Just three minutes later, Kronow struck again, this time assisted by Mackenzie Albert, to give MSU a 2-0 lead.

NJCU's lone shot of the first half came in the 20th minute but was saved by Red Hawk goalkeeper Salange Bell, who went on to record four saves in the match.

In the second half, Sharpe had NJCU's first opportunity in the 61st minute but missed high. On the very next play, Albert added a third goal for MSU, extending the lead to 3-0.

The Gothic Knights continued to push forward late in the match. Arias Martinez had a shot blocked in the 66th minute, and in the 78th, Digristina took a shot that rebounded to Rodriguez, whose follow-up was also saved by Bell. Mannino made her lone save in the 69th minute.

Montclair State ended the match with two more off-target shots, sealing the 3-0 final.

UP NEXT:
NJCU returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 1, when they host nationally ranked Rowan University in an NJAC matchup. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. at the Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Field.

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