Men's Soccer edged 1-0 by Nichols
North Adams, MA- Freshman Brady Stevenson's (Middletown, CT) goal in the 67th minute broke scoreless tie and proved to be the game winner this afternoon at Shewcraft Field as Nichols College downed MCLA 1-0 in day two of the MCLA Soccer Classic. With the win Nichols improves to 2-1 while MCLA falls to 1-2.
While Nichols had the slight edge in possession, the first half was tightly contested with scoring chances held to a premium. MCLA's best chance came in the 28th minute when a Ronan Connors (Hamilton, MA) shot sailed over the crossbar. Later, a Liam Gibney (Rensselaer, NY) attempt would suffer the same fate in the final minute of the first half.
Nichols would up the offensive pressure after the break forcing MCLA senior keeper Sam Edge (Williamstown, MA) to make two spectacular back-to-back saves in the 59th minute to keep the two sides tied. When Nichols freshman Tristan Phillips (Rosedale, NY) hit the far post eight minutes later, it seemed for a brief second that the Trailblazers had dodged another bullet. However, Brady Stevenson was waiting at the doorstep to put home his first career goal.
Nichols out shot MCLA 19-12 and had the advantage in corner kicks (7-2).
MCLA would place four shots on goal in the final ten minutes, but Bison freshman goalkeeper Derek Axon was up to the task to earn his first career win (1-0) and shutout. MCLA's Sam Edge made 8 saves on the day but fell to 1-2.
Nichols will next visit Elms College this Wednesday while MCLA will host Lesley University Friday evening at 6pm.
In the second game of the day Western Connecticut cruised to a 4-1 win over Eastern Nazarene. With the victor the Wolves claimed the MCLA Soccer Classic title going 2-0 on the weekend and earning 6 points.
MCLA Soccer Classic All-Tournament Team
Payton Blynn - Western Connecticut
Felipe Dutra - Western Connecticut
Brady Stevenson - Nichols
Derek Axon - Nichols
Clide Neau - Eastern Nazarene
Samuel Rosas - Eastern Nazarene
Jacob Malburg - MCLA
Conor Green - MCLA