Men’s Soccer Downs New England College, 2-0

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Elms College sophomore defender Connor O'Grady (Somers, Conn.) scored on a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and sophomore forward Lorenzo Rolocut (Somers, Conn.) netted a goal on a saved penalty shot to help lift the Blazers to a 2-0 victory over New England College in Saturday afternoon's non-conference men's soccer game at Leary Field.

With the win, Elms improves to 1-2-0 on the season and Jared Sheikh earns his first victory as head coach of the Blazers men's soccer program. New England falls to 0-2-1 overall.

Elms' sophomore goalkeeper Christian Kostka (Oxford, Conn.) turned aside both shots on goal that he faced to earn his first clean sheet of the season which included a tremendous leg save on a shot by New England's Rob Lucas (Hooksett, N.H.) that was curling towards the near post 20 minutes into the game.

After 45 minutes of scoreless action that saw Elms edge the Pilgrims in shots 10-7, the Blazers finally broke through when Connor O'Grady powered a free kick into the top right corner of the net from just outside the 18-yard box to give the Blazers a 1-0 lead in the 58^th minute of play.

At the 78:15 mark Connor O'Grady was awarded a penalty kick and after New England's goalkeeper Robert Millard (Barrington, R.I.) made a terrific diving save, Rolocut crashed the net and deposited the ball in the nylon to give Elms a 2-0 cushion.

Millard kept the game close throughout, making seven saves including five in the first half to keep the game level through the first 45 minutes. Elms' senior forward Adam O'Grady (Somers, Conn.) fired six shots, four on goal, to help lead the Blazers' offensive surge.

Elms received stellar play in the defensive third of the pitch led by Connor O'Grady, juniors Anthony Nitri (Feeding Hills, Mass.) and Brendan Reynolds (Springfield, Mass.), and freshman Scott Labrie (Southampton, Mass.).

Julian Yourawski (Peabody, Mass.) added five shots in the losing effort for the Pilgrims.

Elms returns to non-league action on Thursday, September 12 when it travels to WPI for a 7:00 p.m. contest.