Men's Soccer Wins NECC Conference Season Opener
CHICOPEE, MA. Sept. 20, 2008- Elms College received goals from freshman midfielder Alex Rosario (Chicopee, MA) and sophomore midfielder Sam Senecal (Chicopee, MA), but Mitchell erupted for three goals in a 2:59 span late in the second half to rally for a 4-2 win over the Blazers in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) men's soccer opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at Leary Field.
Mitchell snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 3-4, 1-0 NECC. Elms College lost for the third time in four games and fell to 3-4, 0-1 NECC.
Elms College jumped out to a first half lead after Senecal drilled in his second goal of the season off of a long outlet pass from sophomore midfielder Courtney Johnson (Belchertown, MA).
Sophomore forward Chris Rapuano (Clinton, CT) answered for the Mariners in the final minute of the opening half with the first of his two goals in the game. Rapuano's goal came off a cross from freshman midfielder Thomas Derosier (Brooklyn, CT)
Rosario blasted a shot in from 30 yards out to put the Blazers ahead 2-1 in the 64th minute.
From there, however, the Mariners exploded for the game's final three goals.
In the 71st minute, Rapuano netted his second goal of the game when he gathered a loose ball inside the penalty area and hammered a shot past Elms College freshman goalkeeper Ryan Sullivan (Agawam, MA).
The game winner came just 2:27 later senior midfielder Justin Curtis (Fairfield, CT) collected a misplayed ball and slid a shot into an open net from the goal-line.
Sophomore forward Joel Blancaflor (Haddam, CT) added an insurance tally for Mitchell just 32 seconds later to conclude the scoring.