Montclair State men’s soccer, coming off back-to-back games in Nashville, TN, felt very good to be back home. In the first game of the season for Montclair State, they tied against Sewanne. In their last game, the Redhawks won 4-1 against Rhodes College. Swarthmore College won back-to-back home games coming into this game against Yeshiva University and the University of Redlands.
Swarthmore and Montclair State faced each other only twice in their history. The first matchup was all the way back in 2007, when it was a 0-0 tie. Almost 18 years to the day of their first matchup, they finally met again.
In the opening minutes, Diego Flores fired a shot on goal, but the goalkeeper collected it. Kenet Lopez looked to start the scoring for the Redhawks with a goal, but it was stopped once again. In the 37th minute of the first half, the scoring column would open for the Redhawks. Carlos Bodeya and Jayden Wesley had a double assist as Tomas Montiero scored. At the end of the first half, Montclair State led 1-0.
At the start of the second half, Montclair State started to apply the pressure. The Redhawks had numerous shot attempts within the first 10 minutes of the second half. Swarthmore tried to tie the game, having four shot attempts in the last 10 minutes, but couldn’t score. The Redhawks hung on and won 1-0.
Monteiro scored his first collegiate goal while Bedoya and Wesley also gained their first career assists. Fiore had three saves for the Redhawks. Montclair State was slightly more aggressive, having a 15-12 advantage in shots. In three games this season, the defense for the Redhawks has been stellar, allowing only one goal in 270 minutes to open the year.
Swarthmore will take on Stevens Institute of Technology on Sunday at 1 p.m. on the road in Hoboken. Montclair State faces Manhattanville University on Sunday at 7 p.m. at home.
