Siotis’ Early Second Half Goal Proves to be Game-Winner over MCLA

NORTH ADAMS, Mass.- After a 1-1 first half in which the MCLA men's soccer team dominated most of the play, a goal in the 51st minute off an indirect kick from senior midfielder George Siotis (Oxford, Mass.) proved to be the game winner giving the Worcester State Lancers a hard fought 2-1 MASCAC victory this evening at Shewcraft field.

The Trailblazers came out very aggressive early scoring in the 10th minute off of a free kick by senior Anthony Basile for his fifth of the year. Later in the half, in the 34th minute, after a scramble, freshman midfielder Justin Echeverry (Methuen, Mass.) scored his first career goal on a beautiful bending shot just out of the reach of Trailblazer goalkeeper Kamron Anderson.  

The first half was very physical, with each team drawing 10 fouls and a number of injuries. Despite outshooting the Lancers 11-5, the Trailblazers still found themselves tied 1-1 going into the break. The momentum of the late first half goal by the Lancers seemed to carry over into the second half, leading to the game winner early in the second half by Siotis. 

After the goal, shots were hard to come by for both teams with Worcester only mustering 6 to MCLA's 5; 3 of which came in the last 5 minutes as the Trailblazers pushed for the equalizer. In the 85^th minute, Jessie Moore's header off a corner kick sailed wide and just minutes later, a last second flurry of shots by MCLA were all turned back by the Lancer defense, securing the victory. 

MCLA (5-5-1, 2-1-1) next takes the field Monday at SUNY Poly at 5pm, while a week from tonight Worcester State (5-5, 2-2) plays host to Westfield State at 7pm. 

Release Courtesy of MCLA Sports Information