MCLA falls to RPI in hard fought non conference tilt 1-0

North Adams, MA- Rensselaer's Matt Koziol tallied the lone goal in the 58th minute to lift RPI past MCLA 1-0 this afternoon in Men's Soccer action.  With the loss, the Trailblazers evened their record at 3-3-1, while RPI improves to 4-1-1.

A well played first half went scoreless as each team had a chance to break the ice.  After the intermission, however, RPI turned up the offensive pressure.  Koziol's goal came off a set play from a corner kick.

Andrew Tambasco took the corner and sent it towards the far post where teammate Brad Shelofsky redirected it towards the MCLA net.  Koziol was in traffic in front of the net, but was able to head it past Trailblazer keeper Dillon Wager.

Over the next 10 minutes, the game's intensity picked up.  Three cautions were handed down, one of which thwarted a potential offensive chance for the hosts.  MCLA's Jake McCall was on the verge of breaking into the clear off of a transitional pass from the back line.  He was met head on by RPI's Michael Birk, who drew a yellow card on the play.  McCall potentially could have gone into the offensive zone unmarked.

The Trailblazers would mount few chances down the stretch, their best coming in the closing seconds on a corner kick.  The RPI defense was up to the challenge however, clearing the ball and ending the game.

RPI outshot MCLA 18-5, including 12-2 in the second period.  Wager would finish with 10 saves for MCLA, while his counterpart, Rob Dewald stopped one in the shutout.

MCLA is back in action on Saturday when they host Salem State at 1pm.