Men's Soccer Defeats MCLA, 3-0, In MASCAC Opener

Worcester, MA --- Senior Alex Wolfel (Unionville, CT) netted a pair of goals to help lead the Lancers past MCLA, 3-0, this afternoon in the MASCAC opener for both squads at Coughlin Field.

Worcester State (2-2-3, 1-0 MASCAC) had great scoring chances for most of the first half before they finally found the back of the net.

Wolfel just missed on a free kick from 25 yards out when his shot sailed inches too high and connected with the crossbar in the 29th minute.

Wolfel then played a great cross from the left side to senior Brian Cormier (Hudson, MA) whose header went just wide of the right post in the 36th minute to keep the game scoreless.

However, it was Cormier who was able to set up the Lancers first score with his beautiful ball off a corner that found second-year Alfred Sogja (Shkoder, Albania). Sogja then tipped a nice pass in front of the net to senior Phil Cepeda (Southbridge, MA), who finished into the top right corner for the 1-0 advantage at the half.

Wolfel notched his first marker of the contest less than five minutes after the intermission when his header came off a sensational corner kick by junior Derek Kareta (Ludlow, MA) and found the back of the net at the 49:44 mark.

MCLA (2-3, 0-1 MASCAC) then had consecutive chances to get on the board as first-year Romeo Grey (Mashpee, MA) used his speed to break free up the right side twice only to come away empty handed.

He wasn't able to rattle off a shot in his first attempt when he was met with a beautiful sliding take away by sophomore keeper Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA) in the 55th minute.

Ten minutes later, while streaking up the right side, he was able to let loose a shot only to be stonewalled by Zucco, who made a fantastic save to preserve the two-goal lead.

The Trailblazers had a great chance to cut the deficit in half again in the 75th minute when junior Tyler Russel's (Auburn, MA) throw in from the right sideline sailed all the way to the net, but Grey's header went wide of the left side post to keep MCLA off the board.

The Lancers got a late goal by Wolfel off a penalty kick in the 88th minute to end any hopes of a comeback and seal the game.

The Blue and Gold outshot their opponents, 14-9, while also holding the slim, 6-4, advantage in corner kicks.

Zucco notched two saves in recording his first shutout of the season and MCLA junior net minder Matt Robinson (Persham, MA) stopped four balls in the defeat.

With his four points this afternoon, Wolfel moves into 7th place on the All-Time scoring list as he now has 63 points in his outstanding career (27 goals - 9 assists). He leapfrogged Papa Yaw Agyepong (2002-04) and Jared Downey (1998-01) who both tallied 60 points each.

Wolfel also tied with Prince Gayflor (1995, 97-99) with 27 markers which is fifth in career goals netted.

Worcester State takes a week off before they travel to Framingham State next Saturday for an 11 AM affair and MCLA travels to Skidmore on Tuesday with kick-off scheduled for 7 PM.

Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant

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