NORTH ADAMS, Mass. --  The visiting Nichols College women's soccer team received a goal from Meghan Dunn in the 58th minute to lift the Bison to a 1-0 win over the MCLA Trailblazers this evening at Shewcraft Field.

 

The match marked the season opener for the Bison (1-0).  MCLA is now 0-1 on the season.

 

Both teams had quality chances in the opening half, but some stellar defensive play kept the game scoreless at the break.  Nichols finally potted the game winner from Dunn in the 58th minute. She would take a feed from Melody Millett and shoot one towards the upper left corner that got past the outstretched arms of MCLA's Megan Richardson for a 1-0 advantage.

 

From there, MCLA couldn't generate much offense. It finally caught a break in the final minutes when Natalia Gerena intercepted a pass and went in one on one. She was eventually tracked down from behind however and Nichols keeper Olivia Marcantonio corralled the ball and the Bison would run out the final minute of play to preserve the win.

 

Hoosac Valley graduate Richardson was outstanding for MCLA opening her senior season with 14 saves.

 

The Trailblazers are back in action on Wednesday when they host St. Joseph (CT) at 5 p.m.

 

Men's Soccer

HARTFORD, Conn. -- The University of St. Joseph men's soccer team received a hat trick from Mergim Kutllovci as the Bluejays pulled away to a 5-2 season opening win over the MCLA Trailblazers this evening.

 

Kutllovci scored twice in the opening half, but then netted the game winner in the 67th minute.

 

USJ is now 1-0 while MCLA drops to 0-1.

 

The Bluejays jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage behind a pair of goals from Kutllovci in the 9th and 15th minutes to take the early lead. MCLA would chip away however, and when Hoosac Valley graduate Colin Rousseau scored in the 39th minute, it was 2-1 in favor of USJ. Trailblazers Ryan Wanek and Andrew Nygard combined for the assist.  The score would remain that way into halftime.

 

In the second half, MCLA would pull even when David Jamina booted home a pass from Garrett Derosia in the 61st minute of play to make it 2-2. From there, it was all USJ.

 

Kutllovci would complete the hat trick just six minutes after Jamina's equalizer to put the hosts up 3-2. USJ would add another tally in the 70th minute and then one in the final seconds to account for the final score.

 

USJ outshot MCLA 19-7 on the evening and John Griffin was credited with the win as he played the second half for the Bluejays.

 

MCLA's Sam Edge took the loss in goal as he stopped seven shots.

 

The Trailblazers are back in action on Friday when they host their annual tournament.

 

Women's Volleyball

WENHAM, Mass. -- The Gordon College volleyball team scored a season opening 3-0 sweep over the MCLA Trailblazers this evening kicking off their annual tournament.

 

The Fighting Scots are now 1-0 heading into tomorrow while MCLA is 0-1.

 

Gordon took the first set 25-15 before winning the second 25-21. They completed the sweep with a 25-23 win in the third set.

 

Gordon had a balanced attack as four different players recorded at least five kills. They were led by Jacque Fitzgerald's match high seven kills.  Amanda Snyder added 6 for Gordon while Ashlyn Gergins and Jamie Tafoya each had 5.  Gergins added a match high 28 assists in the win.

 

Jenny Curtiss collected 16 digs to pace the Gordon defense.

 

MCLA was led by Lee High graduate Ahna Schlaefer and Wahconah grad Kelsey LaFreniere. They each collected 5 kills. Tessa Sestito notched 20 assists while Natasha Stewart ended with 13 digs.

 

The Trailblazers are in action Saturday as they challenge SUNY Potsdam and MIT to wrap up play in the event.