Men’s Soccer Ends in 0-0 Draw Versus MCLA

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) logged his third shutout of the season by totaling seven saves as Westfield State and Mass. College of Liberal Arts tied 0-0 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference match on Saturday afternoon from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.

The Owls pick up their second consecutive draw against a league opponent, moving to 4-4-3 on the season and 1-0-2 in the conference. Ryan Taylor (Plattsburg, N.Y.) registered eight saves for the Trailblazers, which now own a 5-5-1 overall mark and a 1-1-1 league record.

After a first half that was heavily controlled in the midfield from both sides, the Owls had a late scoring opportunity. In the closing minutes of the half, a misplayed ball out of the back from the Trailblazers ended in a turnover, resulting in a shot from first-year forward Drew Regnier (Agawam, Mass.) that sailed just above the crossbar.

In the second half, both sides generated attacking pressure, starting inside the 54^th minute where Ryan Denehy (Littleton, Mass.) lofted a free kick into the center of the penalty area which was headed by senior Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) but saved by Taylor.

MCLA had a runout on the ensuing goal kick as Avery Manzolini (New Lebanon, N.Y.) controlled the ball and drove to the left edge of the penalty box, firing a low shot that was saved by a diving Theroux.

Theroux then delivered consecutive saves inside the final ten minutes of regulation time, the first being a kick save on MCLA's leading goal scorer Traizen Griffith (Enfield, Conn.). With six minutes left in the game, MCLA mounted a dangerous scoring opportunity ending in a shot from Mateo Phillips (Pittsfield, Mass.) whose right-footed shot tracked to the back post causing Theroux to lung back in the opposite direction to make a kick save to eliminate the threat.

The Owls had one final scoring chance with 3:30 remaining in the game as Carter Hebert's (Easthampton, Mass.) corner kick was headed wide of the goal by Charlie Anischik (South Hadley, Mass.).

Westfield outshot MCLA 21-13 but the shots on goal were near even with the Owls producing eight shots on net to the Trailblazers seven.

Westfield State will travel to Salve Regina for their next match in a non-conference game on Tuesday at 7:00 P.M. MCLA will visit Keene State in their next match for a non-conference tilt on Tuesday at 6:30 P.M.