Men's Soccer Blank Fitchburg For Third Straight Win

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's soccer team won for the third time in as many games on Wednesday afternoon, posting a 2-0 shutout over Fitchburg State at Alumni Field in New London. 

Nicholas Ghirardi and Flavio Alvarado each scored for the Mariners, who have outscored their opponents 10-0 during their three game run. Ghirardi also assisted on Alvarado's goal. 

After playing to a scoreless draw for the majority of the first half, the Mariners finally jumped ahead in the 44th minute when a corner kick bounced off the head of a Fitchburg player and landed at the feet of Ghirardi, who was positioned perfectly at the top of the box. The senior delivered a strike with his right foot, sailing the ball past the Falcons goalie for what ended up being the game winning goal, his second of the season. 

The Mariners added their second goal of the afternoon in the 57th minute, when Ghirardi booted a free kick the length of the field and connected with Alvarado, who punched it past the keeper for his fifth goal of the season. With the goal, Alvardo tied Nolan Clack for the team lead (5). 

The two teams shared possession fairly evenly, with the Mariners getting off 11 shots to the Falcons 10. Starting Mitchell goalie Joey Rosa went down with an injury in the 16th minute of play, and Dylan Kinsella relieved him, making four saves to preserve the shutout. 

Fitchburg keeper Luke Speers was credited with four saves in the loss. 

The Mariners (5-6-0, 1-0 NECC) will return to conference play on Saturday, October 15, traveling to face Eastern Nazarene at 4:30 pm. The Falcons (1-10-1) play next on Saturday, October 15, at home against MCLA.