MCLA falls to Norwich 1-0 in CIAO Finale
North Adams, MA- Norwich University's Moab Schiers converted the lone goal of the afternoon in the 79th minute in leading the Cadets to a narrow 1-0 victory over MCLA in the final game of the CIAO Classic. Norwich improves to 3-1-1 overall, while the Trailblazers fall to 2-2.
Union College, on the strength of winning both games, was crowned the CIAO Classic Champion.
A tightly contested match, Schiers broke through in the 79th minute. The freshman took a through pass from Kyle Spillane to get behind the MCLA defense. Schiers' shot beat MCLA keeper Matt Robinson to the lower right corner. The Trailblazers had some chances late as they took three corner kicks but couldn't nab the equalizer.
In the second half, both teams applied the offensive pressure. Norwich challenged Robinson early in the half, but the junior kept the zero on the board. The Trailblazers also had some chances against second half keeper Greg Payne. Trailblazer Edward Boateng almost converted a corner kick as his blast made Payne tip the ball over the cross bar to keep it scoreless until Schiers converted.
The scoreless first half was primarily played in the midfield and then MCLA controlled much of the play later in the half. Norwich took the first two shots of the contest, then were held without one for the remainder of the half.
MCLA had some chances in the opening stanza taking six shots, however only one was on net. Trailblazer keeper Robinson and Norwich net minder Christian Hallstrom each stopped the only shot they saw in the half.
MCLA owned a slim 11-8 shot advantage on the afternoon. Robinson collected three saves for MCLA.
Payne got credit for the win stopping three second half shots.