(Montclair, NJ) – Richard Stockton (12-6), the No. 4 seed for the Skyline Conference tournament, was eliminated in the semifinals with an 18-7 loss to top seed Montclair State (15-1), who is ranked 13th in the nation by the USILA. Cal Sebor (Freehold/Freehold Twp.) topped the Ospreys with three goals and one assist while Alex Epifano (Marlton/Cherokee) chipped in with two goals and an assist.
 
Sebor answered an early Montclair State tally with one of his own for a 1-1 tie but the Red Hawks took the lead for good just 10 seconds later with the first of seven unanswered goals. Epifano halted the run with an unassisted marker at the 2:04 mark of the second quarter and the Ospreys trailed 8-2 at the break.
 
Stockton got off to a strong start in the second half, outscoring Montclair State 3-1 in the first seven minutes of the third quarter to pull within 9-5. Sebor, Max Becker (Oak Ridge/Jefferson) and Vinny Gencarelli (Rockaway/Morris Hills) potted goals for the Ospreys during the spurt. The Red Hawks asserted control of the contest with eight consecutive goals in a 14-minute span to put the game out of reach at 17-5 with 5:21 to play.
 
Sebor and Epifano scored counters 43 seconds apart in the closing minutes but the outcome already had been decided and the Ospreys were ousted from the Skyline playoffs with the 18-7 setback. Stockton goalkeeper Eric Leonard (Mt. Laurel/Lenape) faced 59 shot attempts by MSU and finished with 13 saves. Epifano and Alex DiClemente (Wyckoff/Ramapo) scooped a team-high three ground balls apiece.
 
Stockton now will await an invitation to the ECAC tournament. The ECAC bracket will be announced on May 5 and the tourney will take place on May 7, 10 and 11.