Falcons Hold Off Trailblazers, 3-2

Grenier nets two goals in MASCAC victory

Fitchburg, Mass. – Sophomore forward Shane Grenier (Gardner, Mass./Gardner) notched a pair of goals as the Fitchburg State University men's soccer team defeated the Trailblazers of MCLA, 3-2 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action this afternoon at Elliot Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 3, MCLA 2

Records: Fitchburg State (5-7, 2-3 MASCAC) | MCLA 0-12, 0-5 MASCAC)

How It Happened

MCLA grabbed the 1-0 advantage at the 8:14 mark when junior Connor Kristiansen (Shelton, Conn./Shelton) settled a loose ball on the left side of the net and blasted a shot into the lower right corner for his first goal of the season.

Fitchburg State knotted the score in the 42nd minute of action as junior Marckdonard Bastien (Worcester, Mass./Worcester North) collected a feed from classmate Zachary Buckland (Billerica, Mass./Shawsheen Valley Tech) and deposited a shot into the back of the net for his second tally on the year to make the score 1-1 going into the intermission.

Following the break, the Falcons took the lead 48:45 mark when Grenier lofted a crossing shot that deflected off the far post and into the net for his second score of the 2018 campaign for the 2-1 edge.

The Trailblazers retied the contest (2-2) in the 58th minutes of play as senior Khalil Kareh (Adams, Mas./Hoosac Valley) collected a feed off a free kick from Kristiansen and headed the ball inside the far post.

The Green and Gold regained the lead at the 68:08 mark when Grenier converted a penalty kick after blasting a shot into the right side of the net for his second score of the contest, resulting in the 3-2 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest with mark the 39th meeting between the two squads on the soccer field with the Falcons currently 9-26-4 all-time when taking on the Trailblazers.

MCLA had won three of previous four contests against Fitchburg State, including a 3-1 decision last season at Shewcroft Field.

Fitchburg State finished with a 15-12 margin in shots, while also holding a slim 4-2 edge in corner kicks.

In goal, sophomore Sebastian Jaramillo (Dracut, Mass./Dracut) made six saves for the Falcons in the victory, while counterpart Sean Bradshaw (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa) turned aside four shots for the Trailblazers in 57:26 minutes of action.

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Rivier University on Monday to take on the Raiders for a non-conference clash, starting at 7:00 PM. Trailblazers will host the Vikings of Salem State University on Friday for a MASCAC tilt at 6:00 PM.