Men's Soccer set to host CIAO Classic this weekend

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Men's Soccer team will be hosting the 21^st annual CIAO Fall Soccer Classic September 11^th and 12^th at Ron Shewcraft Field.  The 2010 tournament will feature MCLA, the 2009 tournament champion, as well as Union (NY) College, St. Joseph's (LI) College, and SUNY-Potsdam.  The first game is scheduled for noon on Saturday.  

MCLA is off to a 2-0 start behind a pair of shutout victories over Western Connecticut and Cobleskill.  They will have to work hard to defend their title this weekend.  The Trailblazers will host Union in the opener.  The Dutchmen have begun the season with a mark of 2-0-1.  Union has defeated Cazenovia and Worcester State, while playing Western Connecticut to a scoreless draw.

In the second half of Saturday's doubleheader, Potsdam will play St. Joseph's (LI).  Potsdam enters the weekend at 0-2 having fallen to Scranton and Kings College.  St. Joseph's (LI), an NCAA Division III tournament participant in 2009, enter this weekend's classic sporting a record of 2-1.  They have defeated Berkeley College and York College, while falling to Rowan.

This weekend's event is sponsored by the CIAO (Community Italian-American Organization).  The CIAO was established in the fall of 1999 with the purpose of creating a social club for men and women of Italian American heritage.  The organization began with 14 members.  Currently, there are 54 members.  Over the years, the organization has grown to add "charity" and "service" to the original concept of creating a social atmosphere.  The most recognizable growth came in 2005 when the CIAO established the Berkshire County Soccer Hall of Fame.  The CIAO used the Hall of Fame as a springboard for local high school soccer players.  The money raised by CIAO has been used to create scholarships for Berkshire County male and female student athletes.  To date, CIAO has awarded over $70,000 in scholarships around the county.  There are also 73 recognized Hall of Fame members. 

Looking for another area to branch out and spread its purpose, CIAO has partnered with MCLA Athletics and the Men's Soccer program in hosting the annual tournament.  All proceeds from the weekend tournament are used to help the CIAO reach their goals for the 2010-2011 academic year. 

2010 CIAO Classic Game Schedule:  Ron Shewcraft Field

Saturday September 5^th:
                Noon- MCLA vs. Union
                2:00pm- SUNY-Potsdam vs. St. Joe's (NY)

Sunday September 6^th:

                Noon- MCLA vs. SUNY-Potsdam2
                2:00pm- Union (NY) vs. St. Joe's (NY)