MCLA set to host Westfield with MASCAC titile on the line
MCLA will honor their seniors before they play host to rival Westfield State college on Saturday. The final regular season game will determine the regular season MASCAC champion.
MCLA Women to host Westfield for MASCAC Title on Senior Day:
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's Soccer team will host conference rival Westfield State this Saturday at 1pm with the regular season MASCAC Championship at stake. The winner take all contest will happen at state of the art Shewcraft Field at the Zavattaro athletic complex. The Trailblazers will also honor their seniors as part of senior day. MCLA is looking for its first championship since 1994, while the Owls are the defending conference champions.
MCLA is led by head coach Deb Raber. Her team enters the contest at 13-3 overall, 5-1 in the conference and are winners of eight straight. Raber's team tied the school record for victories in a season with their defeat of Sage on Thursday. They will be looking to break that record against Westfield. The Trailblazers have been perfect at Shewcraft field this season posting a record of 8-0 on the turf, while outscoring their opponents 31-4. MCLA is lead by junior scoring machine Jess Tietgens (Stamford, VT). Tietgens, who has twenty goals on the season, is the all time record holder at MCLA in goals and points. She currently leads the MASCAC in both categories. Joining Tietgens on the offensive is senior captain Jade Prickett (Southampton, MA). Prickett leads the team with eight assists on the season, ranking her second in the league. While the Trailblazers are strong up front, it is the play of sophomore keeper Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) that has stymied opponents. Wehner has allowed only three goals in her five MASCAC contests.
Westfield State, under the direction of Todd Ditmar, enter the contest at 13-1-2 overall, 5-0-1 in the league. The Owls have not been defeated since a season opening overtime loss at Springfield College. Westfield also packs a punch up front as senior Meg Gearin is right behind Tietgens in many offensive categories. The Owls lead the league in scoring. Westfield also leads the league recording ten shutouts on the season.
The MASCAC regular season champion earns the right to host the postseason four team playoff. The winner of the tournament will earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The teams have split their last two meetings, each earning a decisive victory on their home turf. For more information or directions, please log onto to http://athletics.mcla.edu.