Women’s Soccer breaks through, edges Eastern Nazarene 2-1

North Adams, MA- Cidnee Frymire assisted on both MCLA goals tonight including the game winner by Natalie Rich in the 61^st minute which lifted the Trailblazers to a 2-1 victory over Eastern Nazarene. With the result, Eastern Nazarene falls to 1-5. Earning their first win of the season, MCLA improves to 1-4-1.

After sustained offensive pressure and three shots on goal, it would be the Trailblazers who opened the scoring in this one. In the 21^st minute senior Sarah Tomczyk (Plainville, CT) dispossessed an unsuspecting Lion defender and played a ball to the left edge of the box for first year Natalie Rich (Waterford, NY). When Rich found classmate Cidnee Frymire (Tonawanda, NY) at the near post the ball popped up off Frymire's foot. The first year would then head the ball across the goal mouth and a streaking Anna Lewis (North Monmouth, ME) who would pick up the loose change and drill it home for her first career goal to give MCLA the 1-0 advantage.

Eastern Nazarene would answer with just under five minutes to play in the half when senior Rachel Pieger (Oakville, CT) put a perfect corner at the far post where sophomore Kayla Dorn (Hampton, IL) was able to head it past Trailblazer senior keeper Jillian Currier (Troy, NY) and even the game at 1-1.

The start of the second half would see a stretch of driving rain and Eastern Nazarene ride the momentum of their late first half goal.  MCLA however would withstand both and strike again to take a 2-1 lead in the 61^st minute. After an Eastern Nazarene player was unable to control a Currier punt just past midfield, the ball bounced to Frymire who with one touch, hit a sprinting Natalie Rich in stride on the left wing. In alone, Rich would beat the keeper short side for what proved to be the game winner. It was the first career goal for the first year.

Both teams attempted 12 shots in the contest and both keepers would make 5 saves.

MCLA had a slight advantage in corners (6-4)

With the loss Lion junior keeper Jasmine Arzu (Bronx, NY) falls to 1-5. Trailblazer keeper Jillian Currier earned the win and improved to 1-4-1.

Eastern Nazarene will next travel to Salem State on Thursday to take on the Vikings at 7pm.

MCLA will host Westfield State in their next match this Friday at 6pm.