MSoccer Scores Lates, Downs Elms 1-0
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Elms (4-4-0, 1-1-0) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Mitchell (4-5-0, 2-0-0) | 0 | 1 | 1 |
NEW LONDON, Conn. – A late goal gave the Mitchell College men's soccer team a 1-0 victory over Elms College on Saturday afternoon in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) showdown at Alumni Field.
Senior Zachary Simmons netted the game-winning goal in the 87th minute to spur the Mariners (4-5-0 overall, 2-0-0 NECC) to their third straight win. Junior Ramazan Sinani made nine saves in goal to record his second consecutive shutout.
Elms (4-4-0 overall, 1-1-0 NECC) produced better scoring opportunities in the first half but couldn't capitalize. The Blazers held a 14-2 edge in shots and put six on goal, but Sinani was up to the task each time.
Mitchell benefited from strong goalkeeping and a little bit of luck in the second half. The Blazers had a shot hit off the crossbar in the opening minute of the stanza and sent another attempt off the post in the 63rd. Elms' best chance to score came in the 75th minute when Connor O'Grady fired a rocket to the right corner, but a sprawling save by Sinani kept the match scoreless.
The Mariners finally broke through with 3:34 remaining when freshman Andrew Nigro slid a short pass by an Elms defender to give Simmons a clear look from inside of eight yards. Simmons buried his shot in the right corner for his first marker of the year, and Mitchell made the margin stand in the final minutes.
Goalkeeper Nick Pennant finished with one save for the Blazers.
Mitchell will next play at Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, October 2 at 7 p.m.
