Late Goal Leads Lasers Past Men's Soccer, 2-1

PAXTON, Mass.—Lasell College forward Conor Fitzgerald (Marshfield, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal in the 85^th minute to lead the Lasers to a 2-1 win against the Anna Maria College men's soccer team on Friday evening in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.

With the win, the Lasers improve to 8-7-1 overall and 5-3-1 in GNAC play, while the loss snaps the AMCATS' win streak and brings them to 5-11 overall and 3-6 in league action.

After a scoreless first half, the Lasers struck first in the 72^nd minute as Ryan Montemurro (Meriden, Conn.) scored on a free-kick from 40-yards out.

The AMCATS would answer nine minutes later on a free-kick of their own, as Christopher Mattioli (Sturbridge, Mass.) took a free-kick right outside the 18-yard box and shot it low through the legs of Lasell's wall and past goalkeeper Miguel Colmenares (Caracas, Venezuela), who's vision was obstructed.

The score would remain tied for just over four minutes, until Fitzgerald found himself with a breakaway in the 85^th minute. An AMCAT defender was able to catch up with Fitzgerald, but the Laser forward stopped his momentum, spun around the defender, and shot low for the game-winning tally.

Anna Maria goalkeeper Elliot Kuzma (East Haven, Conn.) had a strong performance in net as he totaled 13 saves. Kuzma's most notable save came in the first half on a Lasell penalty kick as he guessed correctly with a dive to his right.

Colmenares was only forced to make three saves on the day. The Lasers outshot the AMCATS 27-11 on the afternoon.

Prior to kickoff, the men's team honored five seniors playing in their final home game; captain Bryan Blomgren (Auburn, Mass.), Jamison Crowley (Southington, Conn.), Deven Plant (Worcester, Mass.),  Michael Quirk (Rockfall, Conn.) and Miles Wyrick (Eagle River, Alaska).

Both teams will await the conclusion of tomorrow's GNAC games to learn the seeding of the 2014 GNAC tournament.