Lasell Blanks Fitchburg State, 2-0

Hanratty totals four stops in Falcons first setback of the season

WEYMOUTH, Mass. (September 1, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men's soccer team suffered its first loss of the 2013 season, falling to Lasell College, 2-0 in the championship round of the fourth annual Kick-Off Classic.Lasell improves to 2-0 on the season while Fitchburg State drops to 1-1 on the year. Senior Mike Skelton (Conway, N.H.) and Conor Fitzgerald (Marshfield, Mass.) each scored goals for the Lasers, and Lance Mayo (Cambridge, Mass.) added his first collegiate assist in the contest.

Lasell got on the board in the 21st minute of the contest as Skelton converted a penalty kick that just nearly beat Falcons goaltender Aidan Hanratty (E. Bridgewater, Mass.), Hanratty put forth a valiant effort on the shot, deflecting the target by Skelton, but the Falcons net-minder was unable to keep the ball from deflecting into the side netting giving Lasell a 1-0 lead.

The Lasers continued to control the pace of play throughout the remainder of the opening half, but their solid pressure and good stretches of possession failed to result in another scoring opportunity. Lasell took a 1-0 lead into the break, while holding a 7-1 edge in both shots and corner kicks.

Fitchburg State began to turn the tide early in the second half, creating a couple of quality chances but they were unable to find an equalizer. Lasell created a little breathing room when Mayo beat a defender to the end line and crossed a ball back to Fitzgerald at the top left corner of the 18 yard box. Fitzgerald's strike found the left post and deflected into the net to give Lasell a 2-0 lead in the 72nd minute.

The Falcons mounted a couple of late chances, but were unable to score and the Lasers clinched the tournament title for the second year in a row.

Miguel Colmenares (Doral, Fla.) made one save while posting a clean sheet in goal for Lasell, while Hanratty took the loss, making four saves on the day for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State (1-1, 0-0 MASCAC) will kick off its 2013 home slate on Wednesday as it hosts Elms College at 7 p.m.

Conor Fitzgerald was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, and was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Mike Skelton, Servi Barrientos (Providence, R.I.) and Lance Mayo. Colin Shea (Hanover, Mass.), Brett Smith (North Andover, Mass.) and Steven Martinez (Middlesex, N.J.) were selected members of the All-Tournament team for Fitchburg State, as were Douglas Silveira and Dylan Hawkins from UMass-Boston and David Linder and Cody Nash-Gibney from Newbury College.