EWING, N.J. – The College of New Jersey men's soccer team was defeated by Montclair State University, 3-1, on Saturday. TCNJ fell to 10-3-4 including 2-2-4 in NJAC play, while Montclair State improved to 13-4-1 and 5-2-1 in conference action.

Montclair got on the board first in the fourth minute when Jose Huerta scored. The Red Hawks had another chance to score in the 27^th minute, but TCNJ goalkeeper Daniel Mecadon came up with a diving save to his left.

Only a couple of minutes later, the Red Hawks had another prime opportunity. A cross was sent from the right post to the center, and after a shot the ball was just about to cross the threshold, but Matt Decker made a terrific sliding defensive save to keep it at 1-0.

The Red Hawks added another in the 49^th minute. In the 64^th minute, Dylan Teixeira drew a penalty kick off a strong offensive take. Michael Maltese took the PK, and was initially stopped by the Red Hawk keeper. However, Maltese stayed with it, got the rebound and punched it in to bring TCNJ within 2-1. The goal marked the fourth of the campaign for Maltese.

TCNJ was inches away from tying it up in the 79^th minute. Maltese sent in a corner that was headed by Ryan Vazquez. The ball ricocheted off of the cross bar, and the rebound went to Sam Monaco. Monaco sent in a diving header yet it was just wide left. The Red Hawks went up 3-1 in the 85^th minute.

At halftime, TCNJ held senior day to honor its class of Decker, Maltese, Monaco, and student manager John Berardi.

The Lions return to the pitch for the regular season finale at Rowan University Oct. 30.