Men's Soccer set to kickoff 2009 Season

Fresh off a berth in the 2008 MASCAC postseason tournament, the Trailblazers are setting their sights to the 2009 season.   Looking to build upon last season's successes, Head Coach Adam Hildabrand's (3^rd Season) team will return eight starters from a year ago.  MCLA will play a rigorous schedule that will kick off this weekend with the CIAO Classic.

 The Trailblazers will again play host to the CIAO Classic in 2009.  This year the event will feature the host Trailblazers, Norwich University, Western Connecticut State College, and SUNY Cobleskill.  MCLA will open the tournament against Norwich, champions of the GNAC conference a year ago.   MCLA will then move on to play Western Connecticut in the Sunday game out of the competitive Little East Conference. 

 The very competitive MASCAC schedule will begin with a road matchup with Bridgewater State on September 19^th.  MCLA will host Worcester State the following week for the conference home opener.  Of the remaining home dates, MCLA will battle conference foes Salem and Fitchburg, as well as a tough non conference matchup with Skidmore College. 

On the field, MCLA will have a different look from last season.  While losing their top goal scorer from a year ago, the Trailblazers will rely on added depth to make up the difference.  Three of their top four goal scorers return from a year ago in senior Joe Deady (Belchertown, MA), and sophomores Rick Massey (Cheshire, MA) and Liroy Ozinci (Plainview, NY).  Deady was also the MASCAC leader in assists during the 2007 season.  With continued growth and the added depth, MCLA should produce many goal scoring opportunities.

 Defensively, MCLA returns its top three keepers from last season in juniors Evan Coe (Hopewell Junction, NY), Sean Teehan (Belchertown, MA), and Adam Tarsa (Adams, MA).  Junior captain Mitch Maselli (Clarksburg, MA) will anchor the defense.  He will be aided by returning junior defender Ben Twomey (Dalton, MA).