MCLA Defeats Men's Soccer, 3-1, In MASCAC Road Matchup

North Adams, MA --- MCLA sophomore Nolan Burke (Palmer, MA) registered one goal and an assist while classmate Dylan Pereira (Ludlow, MA) potted the game-winning tally as both helped pace the Trailblazers to a 3-1 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC men's soccer action this afternoon.

MCLA (4-2, 1-0 MASCAC) opened the contests scoring in the 24th minute when Pereira glanced a header off a nice pass that was pinballed from sophomore Edward Boateng (Worcester, MA/North) to junior Tyler Vona (Highland, NY).

On the end of a scoreless game and the 1-0 deficit in the first stanza, WSU senior Derek Alves (Ludlow, MA) had chances to put the visitors on the board. In the ninth minute, his header was stopped in its tracks by senior Matt Robinson (Petersham, MA) while the other bid in the 26th minute went wide of the cage.

Doubling up the Lancers in shots, 8-4, the Trailblazers built on their momentum and netted the contests second marker in the 61st minute when Burke recorded his first collegiate goal.

Freshman Oscar Castro (Middle Island, NY) took a through ball by Burke and beat junior Tim Schmidt (Southwick, MA) to give the hosts a 3-0 edge with under eight minutes left to play.

Worcester State (1-5-1, 0-1 MASCAC), however, spoiled the shut bid by Robinson when sophomore Alec Ostrowski (Ludlow, MA) hammered home a loose ball that was sent over by senior Kyle Venne (Ludow, MA) in the 85th minute.

Robinson collected five stops between the pipes for the Trailblazers while Schmidt swatted away four shots for the Lancers.

MCLA led in shots (16-10) and held the final margin in corner kicks (4-3). It was a physical contest as the two squads combined for 35 fouls and five cautions.

Worcester State takes a break until they entertain Framingham State in a MASCAC matchup next Saturday at 11 AM. The Trailblazers play host to Skidmore on Tuesday at 4 o'clock.