2008 Woodie Awards
Red Hawks Ousted From Playoffs
MSU Reaches the Second Round But Fails to Advance Any Further
Miguel Alfaro
Issue date: 11/18/04 Section: Sports
Champions are measured by different attributes including resilience, performance, and teamwork. The Montclair State University women's soccer team displayed all of these and many more throughout their amazing season.
After beginning the 2004 season with four consecutive losses, one of which came from TCNJ, the Lady Hawks had much to prove to themselves. The offense had seemed to be missing as they were only able to account for one goal in the awful start. The defense was also terrible as they allowed seven goals.
Fortunately, everything took a turn for the better as the Hawks went 5-3-1, in their next nine games. Most importantly, three of the five wins came against NJAC opponents.
They pounded on William Paterson and Kean University with 4-0 victories. In addition, the Lady Hawks won a thrilling overtime game against Ramapo.
The Red Hawks then claimed a berth into the NJAC playoffs by winning their last four games. Three of those victories came against Rowan, Rutgers-Camden, and Rutgers-Newark. During this stretch, the Hawks played exceptional defense by only allowing one goal. Offensively, they crushed their opponents' defense with 17 goals of their own.
With an overall record of 9-7-1 and 6-2-0 in the NJAC, the Lady Hawks found themselves in the playoffs once again. After looking at past early exits, they knew that it was time to write a little of their own history.
Montclair State continued to stun opponents as they won their opening NJAC playoff game against the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers-Camden, 3-1. They produced similar results as they won breathtaking games against Richard Stockton and TCNJ on penalty kicks.
The 2004 Lady Hawks were the first, in the team's history, to win a New Jersey Athletic Conference championship. Through outstanding defense and remarkable scoring, the team was able to defeat five-time reigning champion TCNJ. Consequently, the Hawks endured devastating news as they lost both senior captains, Gabby White and Stephanie Sabaliauskas, due to ACL tears.
After beginning the 2004 season with four consecutive losses, one of which came from TCNJ, the Lady Hawks had much to prove to themselves. The offense had seemed to be missing as they were only able to account for one goal in the awful start. The defense was also terrible as they allowed seven goals.
Fortunately, everything took a turn for the better as the Hawks went 5-3-1, in their next nine games. Most importantly, three of the five wins came against NJAC opponents.
They pounded on William Paterson and Kean University with 4-0 victories. In addition, the Lady Hawks won a thrilling overtime game against Ramapo.
The Red Hawks then claimed a berth into the NJAC playoffs by winning their last four games. Three of those victories came against Rowan, Rutgers-Camden, and Rutgers-Newark. During this stretch, the Hawks played exceptional defense by only allowing one goal. Offensively, they crushed their opponents' defense with 17 goals of their own.
With an overall record of 9-7-1 and 6-2-0 in the NJAC, the Lady Hawks found themselves in the playoffs once again. After looking at past early exits, they knew that it was time to write a little of their own history.
Montclair State continued to stun opponents as they won their opening NJAC playoff game against the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers-Camden, 3-1. They produced similar results as they won breathtaking games against Richard Stockton and TCNJ on penalty kicks.
The 2004 Lady Hawks were the first, in the team's history, to win a New Jersey Athletic Conference championship. Through outstanding defense and remarkable scoring, the team was able to defeat five-time reigning champion TCNJ. Consequently, the Hawks endured devastating news as they lost both senior captains, Gabby White and Stephanie Sabaliauskas, due to ACL tears.