MCLA falls to Fitchburg 3-1 on Senior Day
North Adams, MA- Behind a pair of goals from Lionso Ventura (Westminster, MA), Fitchburg defeated host MCLA in MASCAC play this afternoon at rain soaked Shewcraft Field 3-1. With the win, the Falcons move to 6-7-2, while the Trailblazers fall to 7-6-1.
The first half opened in a steady rain as the Falcons controlled much of the play. Fitchburg opened the scoring just ten minutes into the contest when Trevor Higgins (Kittery Point, ME) knocked home a cross from Jonathan Diaz-Atto (Fitchburg, MA) for a 1-0 lead. Ventura would add his first of the day when he took a Higgins pass and beat MCLA keeper Evan Coe (Hopewell Jct, NY) just one minute later. The Falcons would take the advantage into the half.
MCLA turned up the pressure to start the second half and trimmed the lead when sophomore Casey Baker (Hudson, OH) was taken down in the box. Baker would convert the ensuing penalty kick cutting the Falcon lead in half. Ventura however, would answer in the 61st minute taking another pass from Diaz-Atto for the back breaking goal.
The rest of the game was plagued with numerous penalties resulting in four yellow cards and a red. MCLA would outshoot the Falcons 18-14 on the afternoon, however Fitchburg keeper Matt Carey would notch 3 saves to keep the lead safe.
MCLA will travel to Cobleskill on Wednesday.