Trailblazers, Bears battle to 0-0 draw in MASCAC opener
North Adams, MA-Outshot 27-2, the MCLA Women's Soccer team held on for a hard fought physical 0-0 double-overtime draw against MASCAC rival Bridgewater State this afternoon at Shewcarft Field. It was the MASCAC opener for both teams.
Behind a stingy defense, freshman goalkeeper Megan Richardson (Adams, MA) proved to be the difference in the game for the Trailblazers turning away 13 shots and registering her 3rd shutout of the season. Richardson had several spectacular stops in the contest but none bigger than the one that came with 3:30 left in the 2nd overtime period. Bridgewater State sophomore forward Taylor Loyd (Halifax, MA) let a ball go from just outside the box that seemed destined for the top of the net when the outstretched glove of Richardson was just able to tip it over the crossbar and thus denying what would have been the game winner for the Bears.
The save was a carbon copy of two earlier stops made by Richardson; one in the 68th minute when she denied sophomore Molly Shield's (Mansfield, MA) indirect free kick attempt and the other late in regulation off the foot of Drew Guay (Fall River, MA) after a period of sustained pressure by the Bears.
Bridgewater State's freshman forward Alana Vincent (Taunton, MA) who led all players with 6 shots also had several great scoring opportunities including two separate instances when upon entering the penalty area with the ball, she cut across the grain freeing herself to unload two right-footed blasts; neither of which were able to find the back of the net.
Despite fighting off 27 shots, 10 corner kicks (MCLA had none) and countless dangerous crosses, the Trailblazer defensive corps remained poised and disciplined throughout the match. While Bridgewater dominated possession and spent most of the afternoon in the attacking zone, MCLA did have an opportunity to steal the game late but unfortunately for the Trailblazers senior midfielder Natalie Caney's (Belchertown, MA) free kick with 1:30 left in the 2nd overtime sailed high.
MCLA (1-2-2 overall, 0-0-1 conference) will next take the pitch at home on Wednesday at 6pm in a non-conference match as they host SUNY Polytechnic Institute while Bridgewater State (1-2-2 overall, 0-0-1 conference) travels to Newport, RI on Tuesday to take on non-conference opponent Salve Regina.