2008 Woodie Awards
Conference Champs!
The Red Hawks Move Onto Round Two
Miguel Alfaro
Issue date: 11/11/04 Section: Sports
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There are many words that can define the character of the Montclair State University's women's soccer team - determination, competitiveness, and humility just to name a few. This team has overcome rocky times and is looking to continue making history by bringing home an NCAA Division III Championship.
Once again, the Lady Hawks, 11-7-3, dominated an aggressive opponent by defeating Bay Path College, 20-3-1, with 4-0, at Pittser Field on Wednesday afternoon.
After losing both senior captains, Stephanie Sabaliauskas and Gabby White, to ACL tears, which will be career ending, the Lady Hawks came out to prove that they can win even against insurmountable odds.
"Even with the season-ending injuries to Stephanie and Gabby, we have had to cope with only a squad of 16," Head Coach Eileen Blair said. The Red Hawks have clearly outplayed the last several opponents and continued with the shutout victory of the Wildcats.
MSU struck first on a goal by junior midfielder, Lauren Kowalski, at 12:06 into the game. About four minutes later, Junior forward, Kaylan Van Brookhoven, contributed another goal off a corner kick by Kelly Dutko to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Entering the second half, the Lady Hawks knew that they needed to keep the pressure on Bay Path. At the 65:51 mark, MSU again scored a goal off a corner kick by Lauren Kowalski.
With only 16:10 left in the game, the Red Hawks added some insurance with Shirah Odeh's third goal of this remarkable season.
"I am an overachiever and even with the win, we didn't convert on certain plays. We need to play the full 90 minutes and be more consistent," Blair said after the game.
The Hawks have displayed outstanding defense in their last eight games by holding opponents to nine goals. Seven of the nine goals have been on penalty kicks of sudden death overtime, which the Hawks have won.
Last Saturday, the team was victorious against five-time defending NJAC champion, TCNJ, which gave the Lady Hawks their first NJAC Championship.
Once again, the Lady Hawks, 11-7-3, dominated an aggressive opponent by defeating Bay Path College, 20-3-1, with 4-0, at Pittser Field on Wednesday afternoon.
After losing both senior captains, Stephanie Sabaliauskas and Gabby White, to ACL tears, which will be career ending, the Lady Hawks came out to prove that they can win even against insurmountable odds.
"Even with the season-ending injuries to Stephanie and Gabby, we have had to cope with only a squad of 16," Head Coach Eileen Blair said. The Red Hawks have clearly outplayed the last several opponents and continued with the shutout victory of the Wildcats.
MSU struck first on a goal by junior midfielder, Lauren Kowalski, at 12:06 into the game. About four minutes later, Junior forward, Kaylan Van Brookhoven, contributed another goal off a corner kick by Kelly Dutko to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Entering the second half, the Lady Hawks knew that they needed to keep the pressure on Bay Path. At the 65:51 mark, MSU again scored a goal off a corner kick by Lauren Kowalski.
With only 16:10 left in the game, the Red Hawks added some insurance with Shirah Odeh's third goal of this remarkable season.
"I am an overachiever and even with the win, we didn't convert on certain plays. We need to play the full 90 minutes and be more consistent," Blair said after the game.
The Hawks have displayed outstanding defense in their last eight games by holding opponents to nine goals. Seven of the nine goals have been on penalty kicks of sudden death overtime, which the Hawks have won.
Last Saturday, the team was victorious against five-time defending NJAC champion, TCNJ, which gave the Lady Hawks their first NJAC Championship.