Box Score

Montclair, NJ (9/28/11) – Sophomore Dan Mendoza (Hackensack, NJ / Hackensack) scored the game-winning goal with 3:38 remaining lifting Montclair State to a 2-1 New Jersey Athletic Conference victory over Rutgers-Newark at MSU Soccer Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Senior forward Kevin Zalewski (Parsippany, NJ / Parsippany) collected a goal and assist as the Red Hawks won their fourth straight, improving to 7-1-2 on the year, 3-0-1 in the NJAC.

Sophomore midfielder Rafael Donado (Paterson, NJ / Passaic County Tech) scored the lone goal as the Scarlet Raiders (6-4, 1-3 NJAC) dropped their third consecutive game and second straight one-goal decision.

Montclair outshot Rutgers-Newark, 23-7 in the contest, including 14-4 over the final 45 minutes yet still found themselves in a deadlock in the closing minutes. That’s when Mendoza recorded his team-best eighth goal of the year. Zalewski crossed a ball from just outside the box on the right side to Pablo Zegarra (Moorestown, NJ / Moorestown) sitting nine yards out. Zegarra heel-touched the ball to Mendoza, whose sliding shot from six yards found the back of the net.

The Scarlet Raiders took a 1-0 lead inside the first 12 minutes. Off a free kick, junior midfielder Nick Kyprianou (Morganville, NJ / Marlboro) lofted a ball inside the 18 toward the near post. Sophomore midfielder Rafael Donado (Paterson, NJ / Passaic County Tech) ran on to the ball and headed the serve past Montclair State keeper Anthony Rogic (Boonton, NJ / Morris Catholic) for the one-goal Scarlet Raider lead.

Montclair State would tie the game at 29:59 as Zalewski netted his fourth goal of the season. Freshman Brian Cullen (Clementon, NJ / Highland Regional) started the play as he collected a loose ball in the box and put the ball toward the net. Senior Sean Pauls (Denville, NJ / Morris Knolls) was able to get a foot on it and redirected the pass right to Zalewski, who then tapped the ball in tying the game at 1-1.

Junior goalkeeper Jonathan Frances (Chandler, AZ / Hamilton) made five saves for Rutgers-Newark.

The Red Hawks also had a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

Montclair State returns to action on Saturday, October 1 as they play host to City College of New York at MSU Soccer Park beginning at 1:00 pm. Rutgers-Newark is also home taking on The College of New Jersey at Alumni Field at 7:30 pm.