Late goal spoils MASCAC opener for Men’s Soccer

North Adams, MA- Worcester State midfielder Manny Ramirez (Waltham, MA) broke a scoreless tie in the 83^rd minute to give the Lancers a 1-0 victory over MCLA this evening at Shewcraft Field. With the win Worcester State improves to 3-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the MASCAC. The Trailblazers fall to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league play.

It looked like MCLA might jump out first in this one when in the 14^th minute, sophomore Cola Bean (Jamaica Palin, MA) found the ball at his feet only a few yards from goal following a Gabe Dias (Shrewsbury, MA) corner. But Bean's shot was right at Worcester State sophomore keeper Dylan Ruberti (Westborogh, MA) and the game remained scoreless.

Worcester State's best chance of the half came less than four minutes later when MCLA senior keeper Sam Edge (Williamstown, MA) made an incredible leaping save robbing Taylor Gavaletz whose header seemed destined for the back of the net.

Later in the 35^th minute it appeared as though Worcester State had broken the tie when the rebound of another great Edge save ricocheted into the net. After a brief discussion by the officials, the play was ruled offside and the goal disallowed.

While both teams would have quality scoring chances in the second half, neither keeper was seriously tested, and the game seemed destined for a hard-fought, well-deserved draw.

However, in the 83^rd minute Worcester State's Ramirez would break in to the MCLA defensive third and find teammate Brady Iovanni (Lunenburg, MA) near the left edge of the box. Iovanni would make a return pass to Ramirez who shot towards the net. Unfortunately for MCLA, the ball would graze off a Trailblazer defender, change direction and find its way to the back of the goal giving the Lancer's a 1-0 lead which would hold up until full time.

Worcester State had the edge in shots (16-11) and corners (8-3).

Lancer keeper Dylan Ruberti made 3 saves in the win and improves to 2-0-1 on the season. MCLA's Sam Edge would also make 3 saves but drops to 2-3.

Both teams will travel to nonconference opponents for their next match on Tuesday. Worcester State will visit Springfield College for a 7pm start. MCLA will travel to Schenectady for a 6pm kick off with Union College.