EARLY GOAL DOOMS PRIDE IN HOME OPENER

WESTON, Mass. – The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts bested Regis College 1-0 in the women's soccer home opener on Tuesday afternoon. With the victory, the Trailblazers (1-0-0) get their first win of the new campaign and with the setback, the Pride fall to 0-1-0.

It was a pretty even affair throughout the contest as both teams traded possessions in each other's defensive zones. MCLA held the advantage in shots 12-10 over Regis while the Pride held the advantage in corner kicks.

The contest started out with the Trailblazers setting up shop in the Pride's defensive zone. Two shots and a corner kick were all turned away by Regis goalkeeper Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.) during the first two minutes of the contest. The Pride then moved the ball from their zone to the opposing end, but couldn't capitalize on their opportunity.

Three minutes later, MCLA moved the ball back down the field while displaying great ball movement. One of the passes found the foot of junior forward Natalie Caney (Belchertown, Mass.) who ripped a shot from 20 yards out. The shot sailed high in the air, bounced off the top right post and into the net for the only score of the game.

The Pride had numerous opportunities to score the equalizer. The first chance came on a Kristen Abreu (Woburn, Mass.) shot that was turned away by Trailblazer goalie Kathryn Daly (S. Cairo, N.Y). A few minutes later, the Pride had a corner kick, but nothing came out of it. Abreu and Sam Salamone (Milford, Mass.) ripped two shots near the end of the half, but they both ended up wide of the net.

During the second half, the Pride had a huge chance to tie up the contest. Junior defender Michaela Bouvette (Mattapoisett, Mass.) took a corner kick inside the Trailblazer defensive zone. She lofted the ball high in the air right at Hannah Bouvette (Mattapoisett, Mass.) who tried to head the ball into the open net. As the header was airborne, Allyson Ferrell (Albany, N.Y.) moved into position and blocked the shot with her body and cleared the ball out of the zone which kept the Trailblazers in the lead.

MCLA almost increased their lead during the 59th minute of play, but Casey Poplaski (Pittsfield, Mass.) shot clanked off the right post. The Crimson and Gold had a few more chances to get on the scoreboard but were turned away by Kathryn Daley each time.

The Pride had one more chance after a miscue from Daley gave them an opportunity for a corner kick in the 88th minute. The ball was crossed into the box to Hannah Bouvette but her header was once again blocked by an MCLA defender ending the comeback bid for the Pride.

Kathryn Daley earned the shutout victory for the Trailblazers making four saves and improving to 1-0-0 on the season. Rachel Gagnon took the loss, but made five saves in net for the Pride. Hannah Bouvette paced the Pride offensive attack with three shots while Kristen Abreu also contributed with three shots of her own.

The Crimson and Gold return to action on Saturday with a home contest against non-conference rival Mount Ida at 1:00 p.m. while MCLA heads home for their home opener against Skidmore on Friday at 4:30 p.m.