Women's Soccer secures playoff berth with 1-0 win over Mass. Maritime
North Adams, MA- The MCLA Women's Soccer team used a second half goal from Alexi Anderson to push past the visiting Massachusetts Maritime Academy 1-0 this afternoon at chilly Shewcraft Field. The win moves the Trailblazers (5-11-1, 2-5 MASCAC) into next week's MASCAC playoffs. MMA finishes its season at 3-10-3 (0-6-1 MASCAC).
After a scoreless opening half in which MCLA outshot MMA 9-3, the Trailblazers began to wear down the visitors. In the closing half, the Trailblazers pulled ahead when Alexi Anderson tallied in the 50th minute. She took a through ball from Nicole Zacchio and broke past the MMA defense. Anderson slipped past Buccaneer keeper Katie Levesque and easily scored for a 1-0 lead.
MCLA had plenty of other chances to extend the lead, however Levesque was outstanding collecting 13 saves on the afternoon. The Trailblazers had two shots hit the crossbar and another off the post, but couldn't cushion the lead.
MMA finally pushed into the Trailblazers end as the minutes ticked away, however they couldn't muster a shot on net as time expired.
MCLA held a 32-3 shot edge (23-0 in the second half) and a 7-3 mark in corners.
Katy Daly earned the shutout stopping the only shot she saw.
Prior to kickoff, MCLA paid tribute to the seniors playing their final home game at Shewcraft Field: Rachel Niddrie, Tia Polana, Lindsay Roy, Kelsey Marini, Janelle Stannard, Erin Ferris, and Justine Cozza.
The Trailblazers will open up play in the MASCAC quarterfinals on Tuesday as brackets will be released later this evening.