Box Score

Parkland, WA (9/9/11) – Senior forward Kevin Zalewski (Parsippany, NJ / Parsippany) scored with 3:10 remaining to cap off a three-goal run in the final 15 minutes as Montclair State spoiled 22nd-ranked Pacific Lutheran’s home opener with a 3-2 victory on Friday afternoon.

Junior Will O’Connor (Wyckoff, NJ / Ramapo) and sophomore Dan Mendoza (Hackensack, NJ / Hackensack) each had goals as the Red Hawks’ 2,400-mile trip to the Pacific Northwest got off to an exciting start as MSU improved to 3-0-1 on the year.

Chad Kearns and Derek Johnson each had a goal for the Lutes, who suffered their first loss of the year (3-1).
Pacific Lutheran led 2-0 after one half of play as Kearns collected his third of the year while Johnson posted his second of the season. Surafel Wadajo lofted a corner kick at the 20:00 mark that was redirected by Kearns, who then set up the next goal by Johnson at 39:24.

In the second half, Montclair turned up the pressure both offensively and defensively with 12 shots while holding the Lutes without an attempt. Despite the wide margin in shot total, it took until the 75th minute for MSU to put a goal in the back of the net.

Freshman Jon Krzysik (Clifton, NJ / Paramus Catholic) fired a free kick into the box where O’Connor was there to head the ball in as Montclair State cut the lead to 2-1. Just over three minutes later, Montclair tied the match as Maxx Wurzburger (Glen Rock, NJ / Glen Rock) found Mendoza in a scramble off a corner kick. Mendoza beat goalkeeper Joe Rayburn for his third goal of the season knotting the game with 15:26 to play.

Zalewski then netted the game winner with an unassisted tally as Montclair State completed its comeback.

Junior goalkeeper Anthony Rogic (Boonton, NJ / Morris Catholic) stopped one shot to earn the win. Montclair State outshot Pacific Lutheran, 20-6.

The Red Hawks are right back in action on Saturday, September 10 as they face University of Puget Sound at 8:00 pm Eastern time.