MCLA falls in 2011 opener to UMass-Boston 3-0
NORTH ADAMS, MA- Behind a pair of first half goals in the opening twenty minutes, the visiting UMass-Boston Beacons improved to 2-0 on the young season as they defeated the host MCLA Trailblazers 3-0 this afternoon at Shewcraft Field. The Beacons outshot the Trailblazers 21-1 in the opening period, finishing the day with a 29-6 advantage. The game marked the season opener for MCLA.
The visitors, who were playing for the second straight day, wasted no time in testing MCLA keeper, senior Jen Wehner. In the opening minute, a shot from Beacon forward Julienne McCuish almost found the net forcing a sprawling Wehner to make the save. In the seventh miniute, UMass' Alli Modezelewski's shot hit the post after she beat Wehner.
The Beacons finally found the net at the 10:58 mark when Brie Cavanaugh connected on a loose ball in the box following a Molly Kuchar shot for a 1-0 lead. Seven minutes later, Tayla Andrews headed home a cross from McCuish pushing the visitors out to a 2-0 lead. The Beacons would take the lead into halftime owning the commanding shot advantage.
The second half was more balanced although MCLA would never seriously threaten Beacons keeper Dani Perkins. UMass would add another tally in the 85th minute when Amanda Hill headed home a Brittany Castillo corner kick.
Wehner finished with 16 saves for the Trailblazers, while her counterpart Perkins finished the shutout with 4 saves. UMass also held a commanding 10-0 edge in corner kicks.
MCLA returns to action on Labor Day as they travel to Smith College for a 4:00pm kickoff.