Trailblazers rally late, succomb in Overtime to Westfield 2-1

North Adams, MA- The MCLA Trailblazers rallied late in the second half to tie the score in 75th minute, but visiting Westfield would tally the game winner just 1:11 into the first overtime to defeat the hosts 2-1 in MASCAC action this afternoon at Shewcraft Field.  MCLA played the final 7:32 of regulation and overtime down a pair of players after two red cards were issued on the same play.  With the loss, MCLA is now 8-6-1 overall, 3-3 in the league, while Westfield won for the sixth straight outing to improve to 11-3, 5-1 in the conference.

The Owls Justin Laliberte would collect the game winner in overtime dribbling inside the left box, narrowly beating MCLA keeper Adam Tarsa with a shot to the lower right corner.  While the ball beat Tarsa, Trailblazer defender Charles Donovan-Martin would attempt to clear the ball away from the goal line and appeared he may have succeeded.  After a brief discussion from the officials, the goal however would stand.

MCLA appeared to have momentum on its side as they were the aggressor for most of the second half after trailing 1-0 at the half.  MCLA had a few chances earlier on in the second half, but could not convert until Luke Davis' goal in the 75th minute.  Davis would beat Owl keeper Jeff Pepoli to the upper left corner after Mitch Maselli played the ball into the box.  The Trailblazers fed off the goal and kept the pressure on the visitors.

In the 82nd minute, a wild sequence ensued that would change the nature of the game.  MCLA's Rick Massey was given a yellow card for a hard foul at midfield.  On the ensuing free kick, he was carded again for challenging the kick.  Following the second card, teammate Liroy Ozinci was red carded after speaking with the official.  The two ejections would force MCLA to play with nine players for the remainder of the contest.

Westfield controlled much of the play in the opening half, scoring in the 14th minute when Jared Spicer connected off a direct kick.  Following a foul, Spicer's kick from 20 yards out was deflected off a defender freezing Tarsa and giving Westfield a 1-0 edge.  The lead would hold until halftime.

For the game Westfield would outshoot MCLA 20-13, while both sides earned three corners.

Tarsa would stop eight shots on the afternoon, while Pepoli would collect two saves.

MCLA is off until next Saturday when they wrap up their regular season at Bridgewater State.