Men's Soccer falls in opening game of kickoff classic to Coast Guard
North Adams, MA- The visiting Coast Guard Academy scored two goals in the second half as they pulled away in the opening game of the MCLA Men's Soccer kickoff classic and earned a 2-0 victory. The Bears earned their first win of the season as they are now 1-1 overall. MCLA dips to 0-2.
CGA will take on Elms tomorrow while MCLA will challenge Western Connecticut State.
The two teams played a scoreless first half, but the Bears missed a golden opportunity late in the half. With just 23 seconds left til halftime, the Bears appeared to score but they were whistled for an offside call and the game remained scoreless at the break.
In the second half, the Bears finally got one past MCLA keeper Sam Edge in the 55th minute. Robbie Fugett would corral a loose ball and loft a high shot into the upper right corner, just under the crossbar, for the eventual game winner. The goal was his first of the season.
USCGA would keep the pressure on MCLA and eventually earn an insurance tally in the 77th minute. Noah Engstrom got loose in the box and ripped a shot the Edge got his hands on, but it remained loose. Teammate Seth Anderson was the beneficiary as he easily slipped the rebound past a defenseless Edge and it was 2-0.
MCLA couldn't muster up any offense over the closing stretch giving the Bears the victory.
Coast Guard ended with a 19-8 shot edge over MCLA and a commanding 8-1 mark in corner kicks.
James Morrison earned the win in net stopping 4 shots. Edge was saddled with the loss as he ended with 3 saves.