Men's Soccer Downs MCLA & Advances to MASCAC Tournament Finals
Framingham, MA - The top-seed Framingham State College men's soccer team defeated the fourth-seed MCLA Trailblazers 3-1 today on Maple Street Field in one semifinal match of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Men's Soccer Tournament. The Rams, who set a new school record for wins in a season today, advance to the MASCAC Tournament Finals for the first time and will host the winner of the Salem State/Bridgewater State semifinal, which is being played tonight in Salem, on Saturday at 1 p.m. The winner of the MASCAC Championship game receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament.
Sophomore forward Jason Silva (Milford, MA) collected a cross from fellow sophomore Brunno Goncalves (Framingham, MA) and lofted a shot over the Trailblazers keeper for his team high 13th goal of the season that gave the Rams (15-3-1) a 1-0 in the 21st minute of play.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Rams extended their lead to two goals as sophomore midfielder Scott Faria (Fall River, MA) sent a cross to senior Mike Jones (Norwood, MA) who scored his fifth goal of the season on a well placed shot.
The Trailblazers (7-9-1) picked up their offensive pressure in the second half as they outshot the Rams 9-4 in the frame. MCLA senior midfielder Brian Szabo (Needham, MA) dribbled thru the Rams defense and knocked a low shot past the Rams diving keeper to cut the Rams lead to 2-1 in the 50th minute. That was as close as the Trailblazers would get as Brunno Goncalves scored off an assist from senior forward Johnny Goncalves (Framingham, MA) in the 60th minute that would give the Rams a two goal cushion once again.
Sophomore Greg Halle (Beverly, MA) picked up the win in net for the Rams while making eight saves and junior Evan Coe (Hopewell Junction, NY) made four saves for the Trailblazers.