NEWTON, Mass. (9/2/16) – The Lasell men's soccer team dropped its season opener, 6-0, to the Pride of Springfield College Friday afternoon at Taylor Field. The deficit starts the Lasers off at 0-1 this season while the Pride open the 2016 campaign at 1-0.
After an evenly matched battle in the first 30, junior Curtis Bolduc (South Windsor, Conn.) kicked off the Pride scoring on a finished frame by classmate Wayne Belcher (Norton, Mass.). Bolduc finished the game with two goals, joining senior Taylor Gilfoy (Holliston, Mass.).
After leading 2-0 at halftime, the Pride continued to press the Lasers in the offensive third with 16 total shots in the final 45. Lasell sophomore Kenan Omerbasic (Windsor Locks, Conn.) nearly put the Lasers on the board with a one-touch blast to frame, but was stopped by diving sophomore keeper Stewart Frank (Pittsford, N.Y.).
In the 58th minute, Springfield peppered Lasell freshman netminder Jackson Burhans (Berlin, N.Y.), where Gilfoy put away the loose rebound to extend the visitors' lead, 3-0. Foul troubled plagued the home team in the 65th minute, as sophomore Ian Zacharewicz (Stamford, Conn.) finished far post on a free kick by junior Tim Wood (Derry, N.H.), before Springfield scored back to back cross-to-finish goals to cap the season opener, 6-0.
The final stat line favored the Pride in shots, 29-7, as senior Zach Richard (Millbury, Mass.) earned the W in the cage with four saves. Lasell starter Patrick McAvoy (Stony Point, N.Y.) suffered the loss with three saves in the first half.
Both teams return to non-conference action on Sunday, September 4. The Lasers return to Taylor Field as they host Wentworth at 12:00 p.m., while the Pride travel to Western Conn. State at 1:00 p.m.