UNION, N.J. (4/12/12) – Montclair State University took a 6-0 lead at halftime and held off Kean University in the second-half to post the 8-4 win over the host Cougars in Skyline Conference action in on Thursday evening.

Freshman attack John Barney posted two goals and three assists to lead the Red Hawks (6-5, 3-0 Skyline), while sophomore Richard Cheifitz finished with one goal and two assists for Kean (9-5, 3-1 Skyline).

The Red Hawks scored three unanswered goals in the each of the first two quarters to take the 6-0 lead in the opening half.  Barney had both of his goals and all three assists in the opening half. 

In the second half, the Cougars got on the board with a goal by sophomore John Marcelli with 9:53 remaining in the third quarter and the two teams traded goals, as Montclair State closed out the third quarter leading 7-2.

The Cougars challenged to open the fourth quarter, as junior Sean Bobal (pictured left) and Cheifitz scored goals less than two minutes apart early in the quarter to pull within 7-4.  Senior attack Matthew Prongay scored the final goal of the game midway through the fourth quarter to close out the 8-4 win. 

Montclair State goalkeeper Mark Glander made eight saves, while Kean keeper Lane Zierten stopped five shots.  Kean's Jonathan Foss won 9-of-11 faceoffs and picked up four groundballs. 

The Cougars travel to Mount Saint Mary College in Skyline action next Wednesday, April 18, at 7 p.m.