Friday, October 25 — Red Hawks 5, Golden Knights 1

The opening game of the series started as a defensive battle. Both teams came out strong, testing each other’s goaltenders but failing to find the back of the net in the early minutes. By the halfway mark of the first period, both sides had registered four shots on goal — Clarkson favoring quantity while Montclair State focused on quality.

Seconds into the second half of the first period, Montclair State broke through. Forward Michael Sadowski, assisted by forward Greg Oliveri, scored to give the Red Hawks a 1–0 lead heading into the first intermission.

The second period followed a similar script, with Clarkson pushing hard to get past the Red Hawks’ defense. But Montclair State held firm — and struck again midway through the frame. Forward Jacob Liebross, assisted by forward Marcus Trasbach, extended the lead to 2–0. Just two minutes later, forward Dylan Gleeson, assisted by forward Nathan Goldberg, made it 3–0. Clarkson couldn’t solve Montclair State’s defense, and the Red Hawks carried a comfortable lead into the third.

Montclair State continued to dominate in the final period. Eight minutes in, forward Sebastian Nayda, assisted by forwards Dylan Gleeson and Lucas Longo, made it 4–0. Three minutes later, forward Michael Sadowski tallied his second of the night, assisted by defenseman Eric Kois and forward Ryan Gorman. Clarkson finally got on the board with two minutes left, but it was too little, too late. The Red Hawks took Game One with a decisive 5–1 victory.

Saturday, October 26 — Red Hawks 4, Golden Knights 3

Saturday’s rematch had a different tone — faster, more physical, and full of energy from both benches. Clarkson struck first eight minutes into the opening period, but Montclair State answered quickly. Forward Aidan Cox, assisted by forward Sebastian Nayda, tied the game 1–1. Neither team found another goal before the first intermission.

The second period brought even more intensity, with both teams battling through penalties and hard hits. Six minutes in, forward Braden Ryan, assisted by forward Robert Quinn, gave Montclair State the lead. Clarkson responded minutes later to tie the game again. As the period wound down, the Red Hawks pressed for an advantage — and got it with just 14 seconds remaining. Forward Marcus Trasbach, assisted by forward Ryan Douglas and defensemen Eric Kois, scored to put Montclair State ahead 3–2 heading into the final frame.

The third period was a test of endurance. At the nine-minute mark, forward Jacob Liebross, assisted by forward Marcus Trasbach and defenseman Eric Kois, netted an even-strength goal to make it 4–2. Clarkson fought until the end, scoring in the final seconds to close the gap, but Montclair State held on for a thrilling 4–3 win and a weekend sweep.

Up Next

The Red Hawks hit the road next weekend to face the West Point Military Academy Black Knights on Saturday, November 1.
They’ll return home on Friday, November 7, to take on the Quinnipiac University Bobcats.

Written by Meghan Lipscomb