Women’s Soccer takes down Bryant & Stratton 1-0
North Adams, MA- Alyssa Porter's first goal of the season in the 40th minute would prove to be the difference tonight as MCLA downed Bryant & Stratton (Albany) 1-0. With the win the Trailblazers improve 2-7-2 while the Bobcats fall to 2-8.
After a relatively evenly played first 17 minutes, MCLA would start to assert themselves and produce some excellent scoring opportunities. The first came in the 20th minute when senior Sarah Tomczyk (Plainville, CT) dispossessed a Bobcat attacker and found first year Eva Bassallo (Petersburgh, NY) at midfield. Bassello would then play a perfectly played ball to classmate Natalie Rich (Waterford, NY) who was streaking down the right side. Rich would lace a shot to the short side of the net, but Bobcat keeper Meaghan Casabonne would make the save keeping the match scoreless.
Rich would get another chance just over five minutes later making the same run. It would be Tomczyk again to initiate the play sending Rich in alone but again Casabonne was up to the task.
Finally, in the 40th minute MCLA would breakthrough. Senior Alyssa Porter (Boylston, MA) would play a ball back to junior Julia Rabideau (Clifton Park, NY) and make a run directly towards goal that would soon pay huge dividends. From over 30 yards out, Rabideau would place a shot on goal which would get away from the keeper. A hustling Jenna Bateman (Pittsfield, MA) would get to the rebound and deflect it off the post and Porter, on the tail end of her sprint, would put the ball past the line for what would prove to be the game winner.
Bryant & Stratton turned up the pressure coming out of halftime getting off several shots, one forcing MCLA senior keeper Jillian Currier (Troy, NY) to make a diving save in the 49th minute. A minute later, it briefly appeared as though the Bobcats had tied the match but an offsides call would nullify the goal and keep the Trailblazers ahead 1-0.
MCLA would carry play the rest of the way with Rich, Tomczyk and Porter (whose bid for a second goal clanged off the crossbar) all having quality chances.
Bobcat goalkeeper Meaghan Casabonne would make 9 saves in the losing effort and falls to 1-4 on the season. Trailblazer senior keeper Jillian Currier (Troy, NY) stopped 6 shots enroute to her first shutout of the season and improves to 2-7-2 on the year.
MCLA outshot Bryant & Stratton 16-12. The Trailblazers would also have the advantage in corner kicks 5-2.
Bryant & Stratton will wrap up their regular season this Friday at 4pm when they host Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse. MCLA returns to conference play this Friday at 6pm when they will host Fitchburg State.