MCLA Slips Past Fitchburg State, 2-1 (2 OT)

Kleindl and Ventura combined for Falcons lone goal of the afternoon

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. (October 15, 2011) – MCLA junior Joe Mecca (Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam) registered his third goal of the season early in the second overtime as the Trailblazers slipped past Fitchburg State, 2-1 in men's soccer action this afternoon.  

With the win, MCLA improves to 5-8-1 overall with a 1-3-1 record in MASCAC, while Fitchburg State falls to 3-10-1 on the season and 1-4-0 in the conference.

After a scoreless opening period, Fitchburg State broke through first as sophomore Chris Kleindl (Tokyo, Japan/American School) converted a Lionso Ventura (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) cross for his fifth marker of the season in the 60th minute.

MCLA responded in the 78th minute when Jake McCall (Lincoln, R.I./Lincoln) blasted a shot from 30 yards out that curled past Fitchburg keeper Aidan Hanratty (E. Bridgewater, Mass./E. Bridgewater) to knot the score and force a pair of ten minute, overtime periods.

Following one frame of scoreless action, MCLA would net the eventual game-winner as Mecca knocked home a through ball from Luke Davis (Bedford, Mass./Bedford) for his third goal of the season three minutes into the frame. 

In net, Trailblazer goalie, Dillon Wager (Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam) earned the win, totaling five saves on the day, while Hanratty stopped six for the Falcons. MCLA outshot Fitchburg State, 20-14 on the afternoon while also holding a 9-3 edge in corners. 

Fitchburg State (3-10-1, 1-4-0 MASCAC) will be back in action next Saturday as it hosts Framingham State at 10 a.m. MCLA (5-8-1, 1-3-1 MASCAC) will travel to Westfield State on Saturday at 1 p.m.