McCarthy leads MCLA past Skidmore 2-1
North Adams, MA- MCLA senior John McCarthy (Chicopee, MA) netted the game winning goal, his first of the season, in the 69th minute of play to lead MCLA to a 2-1 non conference victory over visiting Skidmore. With the win, MCLA improves to 6-4-1 while Skidmore falls to 4-7.
It was a relatively quiet first half of play with limited chances on both sides for the first 35 minutes. Skidmore finally broke the ice when junior Doug Yeates (Richmond, VT) found sophomore Diego Reinero (Princeton, NJ) streaking into the box. Reinero beat MCLA keeper Evan Coe (Hopewell Jct., NY) for a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute. It appeared as though Skidmore would carry the lead into the half, but Trailblazer freshman Jake McCall evened the score with six seconds left in the half converting a bicycle kick just over the outstretched arms of Thoroughbred keeper Lucas Millington (Chatham Center, NY).
The second half saw back and forth action with each team earning quality opportunities. McCarthy would break the tie when he took a thru pass from sophomore Liroy Ozinci (Plainview, NY) beating Millington to the left post. Skidmore would have a few opportunities late, but Coe would make the lead stand.
Coe earned the victory by collecting 12 saves on the afternoon. Millington stopped eleven shots for Skidmore. The Thoroughbreds outshot MCLA by a 21-16 margin and held a slim 4-3 advantage in corners. MCLA returns to action this Saturday when they travel to Framingham State for a key MASCAC matchup. Skidmore will play SUNY New Paltz this weekend.