Men’s Soccer Edged in Non-League Tilt at Fitchburg St.

FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Mitchell College men's soccer team fell by a final of 2-1 on Tuesday afternoon against Fitchburg State University in a non-conference match at Elliot Field.

Sophomore Nathan Da Cruz (Seymour, Conn.) was responsible for Mitchell's lone goal when he put the Mariners ahead 1-0 midway through the opening half by firing a shot into the right side of net for his team-high third tally of the season. The Falcons knotted the score in the 41st minute when Elijah Kalombo headed a shot inside the far post off an assist by Diego Caroso Morais. The home squad grabbed the lead for good one minute later when Anthony Oliveira-Dalicandro received a cross from Zachariah Foster sent a shot into the back of the net.

Still trailing by one, the Mariners threatened in the 75th minute when senior Dylan Lucey (Lebanon, Conn.) ripped a shot on net, but it was turned away and the Falcons lead remained.

The Falcons outshot Mitchell 23-16, including a 9-8 edge in shots on goal. The Falcons also held a 7-4 advantage in corner kick opportunities. Junior Stephan Contreras (Trumbull, Conn.) and freshman Jose Pacheco (New London, Conn.) paced the Mariners offense with two shots on net each.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jesse Jenkins (Windsor, Conn.) registered seven saves, while Fitchburg keeper Dorian Ramadan matched Jenkins with seven saves of his own in the win.

After a two-game road trip, the Mariners (1-10-1, 1-7 GNAC) return to their home turf for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) clash against Colby-Sawyer College on Saturday, October 12, at 1:00 pm. The Falcons (5-6-2, 0-2-1 MASCAC) play next at Mass. Maritime on Friday, October 11, at 7:00 pm.