MCLA drops tough game to Springfield 1-0

Springfield, Mass. - A late second-half goal by Dave Kotulski proved to be the difference as the Springfield College men's soccer team downed visiting MCLA, 1-0, in a non-conference contest on Wednesday evening on Brock-Affleck Field at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex

The win improves the Pride's record to 4-6-1 while the Trailblazers drop to 4-4-1. The match was played in extremely windy conditions as play was affected throughout due to the powerful gusts.

MCLA had the first scoring chance of the game with 24 minutes remaining in the opening half. From 25 yards out, Robert Dalby ripped a free kick that went just to the right of the goal.

The Trailblazers nearly snuck in a goal with two minutes left in the first half as Scott Winslow slotted a ball through the Springfield defense onto a sprinting Ted Cecchetelli. Cecchetelli's one-on-one bid with Springfield keeper Drew Keleher however went wide left as the first half ended without a score.

Springfield finally broke through in the 75th minute when Kotulski tallied his second goal of the season. After Eric Stalsburg beat his man down the right side, Stalsburg sent in a left footed cross towards the top of the box. Kotulski made the most of the bouncing, loose ball as he lofted a half-volley shot just over the outstretched arms of Evan Coe.

For the game, MCLA held a 10-8 advantage in shots and a 3-1 edge in corner kicks.  MCLA returns to action this Saturday when they travel to Mass Maritime for a 1pm kickoff.

In his first career start in goal for the Pride, Keleher recorded four saves en route to the shutout victory. Coe finished with one save for the visitors.