Box Score

Montclair, NJ (9/28/11) – Sophomore midfielder Brittany Carroll (Kingston, NY / Rondout Valley) scored a pair of goals as 10th-ranked Montclair State remained unbeaten as the Red Hawks topped Ramapo College, 3-1 in a New Jersey Athletic Conference contest at Sprague Field on Wednesday evening.

Freshman Abby Erler (New Hampton, NH / Newfoundland) scored once as the Red Hawks, off to the best start in program history, improved to 10-0 overall, 2-0 in the NJAC with the victory.

Junior forward Katie Bruno (Middletown, NJ / Middletown) had a goal for Ramapo, which dropped its third straight following a five-game winning streak to open the season. The Roadrunners (5-3) fell to 0-2 in the NJAC with the loss.

Ramapo would nearly put the first goal on the board as Amanda Barretta (Roseland, NJ / West Essex) hit the post in the first 22 seconds. Three minutes later the Red Hawks took the lead as Erler collected her first career goal with Michelle Hagel (Fairfield, NJ / West Essex) picking up the assist.

Goalkeepers Rebecca Elliott (Brick, NJ / Brick) and Megan Bosland (Boonton, NJ / Boonton) kept the teams off the board until 9:11 left in the first half when Carroll scored her 10th of the year finishing off a pass from Kate Norgard (Columbia, NJ / North Warren) as Montclair State increased its lead to 2-0.

The Roadrunners got several chances in the closing seconds. Bosland came up with a save on Bruno on the first of three penalty corners by Ramapo after time expired. Defender Chelsea Keelen (Tinton Falls, NJ / Monmouth Regional) then tipped away a shot by Jayne Manigrasso (Atlantic Highlands, NJ / Henry Hudson) ending the half as MSU led by two at the break.

Ramapo would cut the deficit quickly in the second half. Bruno put forth a shot that was kicked away by Bosland however the rebound came right back to her and she didn’t miss the second time scoring the goal, her fifth of the year, as the Roadrunners moved within 2-1, 2:22 into the second half.

The Red Hawks then clamped down defensively holding  the Roadrunners without a shot the remainder of the half. Carroll extended the lead to 3-1 with 9:34 left as Jennifer Tafro (Little Falls, NJ / Passaic Valley) set up Carroll for the latter’s second goal.

Ramapo got a chance to pull close as it was awarded penalty stroke with 4:59 to play. Barretta stepped to the line and lifted a shot high toward the left post. Bosland made a tremendous blocker save diving to her right for the save as MSU maintained its 3-1 lead.

Bosland finished with five saves for the Red Hawks while Ellott made the same amount for Ramapo.

MSU held a 14-10 advantage in shots and also held a 15-9 lead in penalty corners.

Both teams return to action on Saturday, October 1 with non-conference contests. Montclair State hosts Alvernia University at Sprague Field at 1:00 pm. Ramapo is home to Keystone College at Noon.