Johnson & Wales Outlasts Men's Soccer

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's soccer team suffered a 3-0 setback to visiting Johnson & Wales University in a non-conference match at Leary Field Saturday afternoon. The Blazers dip to 3-9 on the season, while the Wildcats improve to 10-1-1 overall.

After nearly 30 minutes of scoreless play opened the first half, the Wildcats cracked the scoreboard as sophomore Erik Schneider (Plantsville, Conn.) headed a serve off the crossbar, and the put back in the rebound to hand Johnson & Wales a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats held the 1-0 lead through the first half.

In the 64^th minute, Johnson & Wales sophomore Jason Cruz (Providence, R.I.) gathered a loose ball on the edge of the box and ripped a shot past Elms freshman keeper A.J. Oliviera (Beacon Falls, Conn.) to push the Wildcats ahead 2-0. With 9:21 remaining, Cruz pursued a ball into the corner and launched a cross to the front of the net, where senior Chris Schmid (Clifton Park, N.Y.) elevated and headed home the finish to send Johnson & Wales to the 3-0 win.

The Wildcats edged the Blazers in the shot column, 15-12, during the contest. Oliviera made five saves for the Blazers, while Johnson & Wales sophomore Nicholas Mancini (Toms River, N.J.) stopped a match-high seven shots in the win.

The Blazers will look to return to the win column when they host Westfield State in non-conference action Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. Johnson & Wales travels to Regis (Mass) for a GNAC match Wednesday at 4:00 p.m.

ELMS SOCCER