Men's Soccer Victorious In NECC Opener

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

WESTON, Mass. – Freshman forward Bobby Zaino (Avon, Conn./Avon) netted a pair of goals in a four-minute span of the first half to lead the Blazers to a 2-1 victory in their New England Collegiate Conference opener against host Regis College Saturday afternoon.

In the 19^th minute of play, Elms junior midfielder Lorenzo Rolocut (Somers, Conn./Somers) took a throw in and lifted a ball to the front of the Pride goal, where Zaino lifted above his defender to head the ball past Regis goalkeeper Manny Calderon, staking the Blazers to a 1-0 lead.

With 22:39 remaining in the first half, Elms senior defender Anthony Nitri (Feeding Hills, Mass./Agawam) delivered a cross to Zaino, who scored the decisive goal as he knocked another header into the back of the net, extending the Blazers lead 2-0 over the Pride. The goal was Zaino's fifth of the season.

The Pride cracked the scoreboard in the 26^th minute to cut the Blazers lead to 2-1, but were held off the board in the second half behind a strong effort by the Elms defensively to secure their first NECC victory.

The Blazers doubled the shot output of Regis, 14-7, during the contest. Elms junior goalie Christian Kostka (1-1-1; Oxford, Conn.) made one save for the Blazers, while Calderon stopped a game-high six saves for the Pride.

With the victory, Elms improved to 3-4-2 overall, and 1-0 in NECC play, while Regis falls to 2-7, and 0-1 on the year. The Blazers will return to the pitch Wednesday October 1^st in a non-conference match against Worcester State at Leary Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

ELMS SOCCER