Nygard sparks Men's Soccer to 3-1 win over Fitchburg State in MASCAC play

North Adams, MA- MCLA sophomore Andrew Nygard scored a pair of goals to lead the Trailblazers past the visiting Fitchburg State men's soccer team 3-1 this evening in MASCAC action at Shewcraft field.  With the win, the Trailblazers improve to 2-3 in the MASCAC (4-9 overall), while the Falcons fall to 0-4-1 in the conference (4-6-2 overall).

The Falcons actually got on the board in the opening minute.  Following an MCLA turnover at midfield, Falcon midfielder Hassan Koroma sent a thru ball to a streaking Jared Burns.  He would calmly knock it into the upper right corner for a 1-0 lead just 28 seconds into the contest.  

The score would remain that way until Nygard eventually netted his first goal of the season.  In the 33rd minute, MCLA had a corner kick.  It appeared as though Fitchburg would clear it, however Nygard was waiting at the top of the box and the ball found his foot.  He would shoot it into the lower left corner tying the game at 1-1.  The score would remain that way into halftime and eventually into the 73rd minute.

Nygard would tally the game winner when he would flick home a pass from Romeo Grey making it 2-1 in favor of the hosts.  MCLA would tack on an insurance goal in the 86th minute and Grey would have a hand in that one too.  Grey would corral the ball at the top of the box and sent a cross to Khalil Kareh.  The senior captain ripped a shot into the upper left corner to stretch the lead to 3-1 with just three minutes left to play.  The goal was Kareh's first of the season.

MCLA would keep FSU at bay for the remainder of the contest and earn the key MASCAC win.  Kamron Anderson earned his fourth win of the season collecting a pair of saves in the contest.  Fitchburg's Alex Al-Zaibak absorbed the loss notching six saves in defeat.

The Trailblazers owned an 18-9 shot advantage and held a 6-3 mark in corner kicks.

MCLA is back in action on Wednesday when they travel up to Green Mountain College.