MADISON, N.J. (March 6, 2026) – Montclair State University held off a fourth quarter comeback effort from Emerson College to secure a 7-5 decision on day one of the Tom Leanos Cup, hosted by Drew University, at Ranger Stadium this afternoon.
Junior Brian Kelly had a hand in five of Montclair State's seven goals with three goals and two assists, including a goal and assist in the fourth quarter as the Red Hawks held off a late rally from Emerson, collecting two ground balls. Senior Ryan Vierbuchen added two goals and an assist with two caused turnovers and a ground ball. Junior Nicholi Halse preserved the win for the Red Hawks with ten saves.
Corby made 14 saves and collected three ground balls to keep Emerson in the match. |
Junior Zachary Stern-Hayes played a role in three of Emerson's five goals with two goals and an assist, also posting a goal and assist in the fourth quarter as the Lions drew back within a goal after his second marker of the contest with seven minutes to play. He also chipped in two ground balls and a caused turnover, while first year Dylan Wong netted two goals with three ground balls and a caused turnover. Senior Ethan Corby kept the Lions in the game with 14 saves and three ground balls, while first year Enzo Choi stood out in the face off circle by winning 9-of-11.
Montclair State scored the first four goals of the contest with Kelly and Vierbuchen each tallying a goal and assist in the opening quarter. Wong put Emerson on the scoreboard with his first of the day with 1:05 remaining in the first quarter and then neither team scored in the second quarter of the defensive battle as Corby and Halse each recorded a pair of saves.
Stern-Hayes and Kelly traded goals in the third quarter and then Emerson rallied to within a goal (6-5) after Stern-Hayes set up a goal from sophomore Brady Fish with 9:43 still on the clock and then added a goal of his own with 7:06 to play.
Montclair held from there, with Vierbuchen's second of the game providing insurance a man up with 6:22 on the clock. Halse made two saves and Emerson turned the ball over eight times in the fourth to seal the win.
Up Next
Emerson (1-5, 0-0 NEWMAC) returns to action for day two of the Leanos Cup on Sunday when it facesEmmanuel College at 11 a.m. Montclair State (4-0, 0-0 NJAC) will play host Drew University for the Leanos Cup Championship on Sunday at 2 p.m. Emerson returns home on Saturday, March 14, to open New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play against MIT at Rotch Field at 4 p.m.
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