Trailblazers Open MASCAC Play with a Win

Junior Liroy Ozinci (Plainville, MA) netted the game-clinching marker in the 76nd minute to help lift MCLA to a 1-0 triumph over Worcester State University on the opening weekend of MASCAC play at Coughlin Field this afternoon. With the win the Trailblazers improve to 3-2-1 while the Lancers slip to 2-5.

The opening stanza saw Worcester State hold a 6-4 lead in shots as MCLA had a great chance to break a scoreless match in the first five minutes of the contest when Ozinci made a great bid 15 yards away from the net, but his shot was kicked away by junior Brian Gillis (Brockton, MA), for the team save.

The Lancers best opportunity to score game in the 39th minute on a header by third-year Andrew Babineau (Webster, MA), but his attempt was knocked clear out of the net by junior Charles Donovan-Martin (Vestal, NY). As Donovan-Martin made his play he fouled a Worcester State forward and that gave the Blue and Gold a penalty kick. With junior Kerlenz Benjamin (Cambridge, MA) on to attempt the free kick, senior Adam Tarsa (Adams, MA) made a terrific stop to end the threat.

Worcester State went on the offensive right away as they fired off five shots within the first 20 minutes of the second half. Freshman Phil Barros (Hudson, MA) and junior David Gustafson (Webster, MA) each had good looks with headers, but their shots were too high.

It was Ozinci who broke the tie when he dribbled past a Lancer defender and made a nice shot 10 yards away from the net for the match winner.

MCLA used the momentum to hold the Blue and Gold without a shot for the remainder of the contest.

WSU held a 12-9 edge in shots (9-6 on goal) while the Trailblazers had a 5-1 advantage in corners. The game proved to be a physical one as both sides were flagged for 26 fouls and five yellow cards.

Tarsa evened out his record to 2-2-1 as he recorded seven stops in the victory. Junior Evan Wilga (Dudley, MA) collected four saves in the setback.

Both teams will face non conference opponents on Wednesday. The Lancers take on Keene State at 7 PM while MCLA hosts Castleton State at 4 o'clock.