MCLA falls to Westfield 3-1 in MASCAC title game

Westfield- The MCLA Women's Soccer team fell to Westfield State 3-1 this evening in the title game of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference.  With the setback, MCLA falls to 14-5 and will await a potential postseason bid to be announced Monday.

It was the second meeting between both teams in a week.  For the second game in a row, the Owls started strong.  Westfield's Colleen Bazinet converted off a Jill Ranney corner kick to give Westfield an early 1-0 advantage just six minutes in.

MASCAC scoring leader, MCLA junior Jess Tietgens (Stamford, VT) would provide the equalizer when she tallied an unassisted goal in the 23rd minute.  It was her 26th goal of the season which eclipsed her own record of 25 set a season ago.  Westfield, however would bounce back with the game winner when MASCAC Player of the Year Meg Gearin knocked home a Kate MacLellan pass in the 29th minute.

The second half opened with the Owls Colleen Kenney giving Westfield some breathing room as she scored just 3:38 into the half giving the host team a commanding 3-1 advantage.

The Owls played stout on the defensive side as MCLA would only muster one shot in the second half as they shut down the Trailblazers powerful offense.

MCLA keeper Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, NY) earned nine saves while facing 20 shots on the afternoon.

MCLA will await a an at large postseason bid to either the NCAA or ECAC Tournament.  The seedings for both will be announced on Monday.

 Jess Tietgens breaks single season goals record in defeat