Men's Soccer Falls to MCLA, 1-0

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – The MCLA men's soccer team earned a key early-season victory as the visiting Trailblazers edged Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) rival Bridgewater State University, 1-0, on Saturday evening at Swenson Field. The game marked the MASCAC opener for both teams.

The Trailblazers improve to 4-3 (1-0 MASCAC) on the season, while the Bears fall to 2-2 (0-1 MASCAC).

Senior forward Edward Boateng (Worcester, Mass.) potted the game's only goal on a corner kick in the 42nd minute of play. Boateng's corner kick attempt somehow snuck through the BSU defense and curled into the net.

The Bears nearly tied the game off a corner kick just 58 seconds into the second half, but sophomore forward Jameson Bradley's (Westborough, Mass.) shot hit the post.

MCLA junior goaltender Kamron Anderson (Springfield, Mass.) made a nice diving stop off a header attempt by sophomore forward Brian Bortolotti (Foxborough, Mass.) with roughly 15 minutes left to play. Anderson also turned aside a shot by sophomore midfielder Kane Moran (Perth, Australia) from 15-yards out in the 82nd minute.

The Bears continued to mount the pressure in the second half, but three successive chances were blocked in the final seven minutes and sophomore forward Riley Fleck (Foxborough, Mass.) hit the crossbar with 3:05 left to play.

Bridgewater held a 24-13 shot advantage for the game including an 18-4 edge in the second half. The Bears also finished with an 11-9 advantage in corner kicks attempts.

Anderson finished with five saves as he recorded his second shutout of the season. BSU senior netminder Colin Jepson (Sandwich, Mass.) turned aside five shots in the setback.

It will be a quick turnaround for the Bears as they host Southeastern Massachusetts rival Wheaton College tomorrow afternoon at two. The Trailblazers are back in action on Tuesday as they entertain the Thoroughbreds of Skidmore College at 5:00 PM.