Nate Rodriguez, Sports Information Intern

La Verne, CA - The Leopards fought down to the wire against one of the nation's premier collegiate soccer squads at the D3 level, dropping a 1-0 contest to the Montclair State University Red Hawks that brought everyone at Ortmayer Stadium out of their seats in the second half.

Both teams posted double-digit shot opportunities in Thursday's contest and sophomore goalkeeper Hector Duenas-Pena's hands were full the entire match. In the first half alone, Montclair State attempted 12 shots allowing Duenas-Pena to collect eight saves before the opposition penetrated the pipes. In the 37th minute, the Red Hawks' Ian Chesney fielded a missed shot opportunity coming off a corner set and squeaked one by the Leopards' keeper for the lone difference.

La Verne dominated the second half offensively, tallying 12 shot attempts of their own to no avail. The momentum shifted throughout Ortmayer once Duenas-Pena blocked a Montclair State penalty kick just minutes into the period, diving full-extension to his left for his most remarkable of 11 saves.

Rigoberto Laguna had back-to-back opportunities in front of the net in the 62nd minute, smashing one off the crossbar before missing high on his second-chance shot. In the final five minutes, Joel Trejo, Mario Urbina and Owen Osagiede all threatened the Red Hawks' keeper with shots on goal – but came away empty-handed by the final whistle.

Montclair State adds their second win to their 2022 record, seeking the silver lining to their weekend west coast road-trip with a Saturday evening match against the #12 Redlands Bulldogs. The Leopards will travel this weekend for the first time this season, up north to Oregon to challenge the George Fox University Bruins for a Saturday matinee match on Sept. 10.