The College of Staten Island were stifled offensively and kept off the scoreboard for the first time this season, as they fell to visiting Montclair State University, 2-0, on a scorching afternoon at the CSI Soccer Complex.  CSI fell to 6-2-1 overall, while the Red Hawks elevated to 4-3-2 overall.

Although MSU did control the tempo and at times dominated on the plus side of the pitch, neither team had golden looks with the exception of a three-minute stretch late in the first stanza that saw MSU pop in its two goals.  Both goalkeepers made rather routine saves in the first stanza, and there was a lengthy stretch (19+ minutes) where neither team was able to uncork an attempt.

That, however, changed at the end of the stanza.  With just 5:02 remaining in the opening stage, Michaela Knoblock sent a line drive cross from the wide right of goal where three MSU Red Hawks were waiting.  Of the three, Kaitlyn Scrivanich was able to poke at it with the head from inside the goalmouth, beating CSI keeper Kaila DiBenedetto.  That gave MSU momentum, and in the late stages of the frame and with the intense heat slowing down play, MSU quickly doubled their lead.  Just 1:38 after the first goal, this time it was Scrivanich that looped in a cross into the goal mouth from the left flank, and there waiting was Knoblock who stuffed it home right at the doorstep to make it a 2-0 game.

The way MSU was playing defense, the lead seemed secure, but CSI refused to quit, and even though they relied primarily on the counterattack, they out-shot MSU, 6-3, in the second stanza, forcing four Phoebe Bledsoe saves.  One golden chance came at 68:00, when Rebecca D’Aloia blew past three MSU defenders on the right flank but could only put a tight angle shot on to a kneeling Bledsoe who made the stop.  Then later, with under five minutes to play, Bledsoe fielding a one-hopper free-kick off the leg of Adrianna Parello from about 25-yards out.

MSU led the final shot count 11-7 (6-5 on goal), and held a 6-0 edge in corner kicks.  MSU now leads the all-time series, 2-0, having beaten CSI last year as well.

The Dolphins will now be idle until Wednesday, when they host NYU for the last of a four-game home stand at 3:30pm at the CSI Soccer Complex.