Men's Soccer Battles To 1-1 Tie With Eastern Connecticut
MEN'S SOCCER BATTLES TO 1-1 TIE WITH EASTERN CONNECTICUT
CHICOPEE, MA, Sept. 26, 2007 - Elms College sophomore midfielder Ben Masse (Chicopee, MA) netted his first goal of the year and junior goalkeeper Nick Pellegrini (Ludlow, MA) turned aside 15 shots to help the Blazers earn a hard-fought 1-1 tie with Eastern Connecticut State University in Wednesday's non-conference men's soccer game at Leary Field.
Elms College moved to 1-6-1, while Eastern Connecticut improved to 4-3-1.
With the game scoreless in the 42nd minute, Masse collected a cross from sophomore forward T.J. Nevue (Palmer, MA) and blasted a shot past Eastern Connecticut senior goalkeeper Jay Barney (Mansfield, CT) to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead.
The Warriors nearly tied the game in the 58th minute as Eastern Connecticut junior midfielder Jimmy McConville (Manchester, CT) beat Pellegrini from inside 10 yards.
Freshman defender Chris Silva (Chicopee, MA),
however, slid across and made a beautiful clear off the goal-line
to preserve the 1-0 lead.
Eastern Connecticut finally broke through to tie the game at 1-1 in the 66th minute when sophomore forward Maxim Fantl (West Hartford, CT) cleared three defenders and rifled a shot over Pellegrini for his team-leading sixth goal of the year.
With the game still knotted at 1-1 and 2:40 remaining in regulation, Barney made a brilliant point-blank stop on Nevue from just 10 yards out to help send the game into overtime.
The Warriors best chance came with 3:25 remaining in the second overtime from senior midfielder Eric Boisvert (Newington, CT), who collected a loose ball at the top of the penalty area, but blasted a shot just over the crossbar.
Barney finished with four saves for the Warriors, who outshot the Blazers 35-12.
Elms College returns to North Atlantic Conference (NAC) play on Saturday, September 29 at Castleton State College. Game time is 1:00 p.m.