Worcester, Mass. - For the second straight
match, senior John Machado (Bristol, Conn.) scored
the game-winning goal - this time a little more than six minutes
into the first overtime to lift host Clark to a 2-1 victory over
visiting Springfield in men's soccer action on Monday evening on
Granger Field.
The win improves the Cougars' record to 7-3 overall and 1-2 in
NEWMAC action while the Pride dip to 3-6-1 and 1-2 in league
play.
Originally scheduled for last Saturday but postponed due to
weather, the match started off with Clark jumping out to an early
lead with the team-leading seventh goal from graduate student
Mike Trobagis (Acton, Mass.) off a feed from
freshman Gianluca Ranallo (Scarsdale, N.Y.) at the
19:15 mark.
Clark's lead would be short-lived however, as Springfield answered
back when John Plourd set up Eric Stalsburg for the equalizer less
than a minute later.
Things remained the same for the rest of regulation as both teams
had their own opportunities to take the lead. Junior Kyle Klapp (Guilderland, N.Y.) fired a shot in the 75th minute
for the Cougars that Pride netminder Chris Walton turned back with
a diving stop in midair going to his right.
Springfield actually had two chances in the 88th minute when Plourd
had a breakaway but his shot was saved by Clark defender
Preben Gietz (Waterloo, Belgium). The ball,
however, ricocheted off the right post right to a trailing Cody
Kaczetow, but his shot sailed high over the crossbar.
Machado's game-winner came at the 6:57 mark of the extra session
off a pass from Tim Doenmez (Dublin, N.H.), who
collected his fifth assist of the season. The goal for Machado
gives him two on the season - and equals his career total entering
this year.
Ranallo, meanwhile, added his seventh assist of the season - a
total that is best in the NEWMAC - and he now has at least one in
each of the last three games.
The match was even throughout with Clark holding edges in shots
(18-14) and corner kicks (8-3).
Walton made five saves in goal for the Pride, while freshman
Ryan King (Brimfield, Mass.) turned back four
shots for the Cougars.
Clark returns to action on Wednesday with a 6:00 p.m. home matchup
with Lasell, while Springfield hosts MCLA.
