MCLA Fights Past Fitchburg State, 1-0

Carey leads Falcon backline with six stops despite loss

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 25, 2008) - The Fitchburg State men's soccer team suffered a tough 1-0 setback to MCLA in Massachusetts State Athletic Conference action this afternoon at Elliot Field.

MCLA senior Brian Szabo (Needham, Mass./Needham) registered the game-winning goal in the match, while freshman Liroy Ozinci (Plainville, N.Y./Plainview Old Bethpage) chipped in with the assist.

Both teams battled to a 0-0 draw after the first half of play as Fitchburg State gained a slight 7-6 edge in total shots. Junior goaltender Matt Carey (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell) had a solid first half, tallying four saves in the frame, keeping the Falcons within striking distance. MCLA pressured with five corner attempts, but Carey and the Falcons backline denied any scoring opportunities with solid defense.

After 35 minutes of silent play in the second half, MCLA broke the scoring deadlock on Szabo's second score of the season. Fitchburg State dominated the half with eight total shots and three corners but MCLA pushed through the late goal to clinch its seventh victory of the season.

Fitchburg State held 14-12 shot advantage in the contest, while MCLA recorded a 7-3 edge in corner attempts. In net, Carey totaled six stops in the complete game effort, while junior Evan Coe (Hopewell Junction, NY / Arlington HS) stopped three shots for the Trailblazers

Fitchburg State (4-10-1, 0-5-1 MASCAC) is back in action on Tuesday as it travels to Endicott College at 4 p.m. MCLA (7-7-1, 3-2-1 MASCAC) will host SUNY Cobleskill on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

MCLA 1, Fitchburg State 0

Scoring:
First Half: none
Second Half:  MCLA: Brian Szabo (Liroy Ozinci), 80:05
Goaltending: FSC: Matt Carey (90:00), six saves; MCLA: Evan Coe (90:00), three saves
Shots On Goal: FSC: 14; MCLA: 12