Falcons Withstand Trailblazers, 1-0

Falcons Withstand Trailblazers, 1-0

Mitchell propels Fitchburg State to key MASCAC victory

North Adams, Mass. – Fitchburg State sophomore Mikaela Mitchell (Millbury, Mass.) netted the game winner for the Falcons in the 81st minute of play to lift the Fitchburg State University women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over the Trailblazers of MCLA this evening in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Shewcraft Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, MCLA 0

Records: Fitchburg State (3-8-1, 2-3 MASCAC) | MCLA (4-9, 1-4 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State collected 18 first half shots, but was unable to dent the scoreboard as MCLA keeper Megan Richardson (Adams, Mass.) kept the Falcons off the scoreboard, making six saves in the first 45 minutes of play to preserve the 0-0 stalemate going into the second half.

Following the intermission, Mitchell finally gave the Green and Gold a 1-0 advantage at the 80:52 mark, collecting a loose ball on the right side of the net and blasting a shot into the lower left corner for her seven tally of the season.

The Trailblazers nearly knotted the score late in the contest when senior Lauren Mangiardi (Pittsfield, Mass.) fired a shot toward goal, but Mangiardi's attempt sailed just wide of the near post, resulting in the 1-0 final..

Inside the Numbers

This evening's contest will mark the 26th meeting between the two team on the pitch with the Falcons currently 9-13-3 when taking on the Trailblazers.

The two teams had split the previous three matchups (1-1-1), with the MCLA coming away with a 2-0 victory last season at Elliot Field.

Fitchburg State concluded the contest with a 23-5 margin in shots, while also holding a 7-0 edge in corner kicks.

In goal, sophomore Sarah Hemmings (Eastham, Mass./Nauset Regional) turned aside three shots for the Falcon, en-route to the clean sheet, while Richardson made six save for the Trailblazers in the setback.

Mitchell and freshman Elicia Marshall (Taunton, Mass.) finished with seven shots each for the Falcons in the contest.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Westfield State next Saturday to take on the Owls for a MASCAC matchup, starting at 11:00 AM. Trailblazers will host the Wildcats of SUNY Polytechnic on Tuesday for a non-conference tilt at 7:00 PM.