Newton, Mass.-On a chilly Thursday early evening, the Lasell College men's soccer team defended their first place spot in the standings by defeating local rival Mount Ida College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action, 2-1.  The Lasers improve their record to 8-3-2, having yet to lose a GNAC contest with a 5-0-1 slate.

Mount Ida jumped out early by scoring in the 21^st minute of the first half.  Freshman attacker Matt Palatine (Ludlow, Mass.) broke free at the left edge of the penalty box to cross a pass to the head of junior Billy Beauzile (Brooklyn, NY), placing it securely into the lower corner of the net.

The Lasers had fourteen opportunities to tie things up in the first period but were stifled at each pass by Mustang goalkeeper Steven Enright (South Kingston, RI) who preserved the 1-0 lead for Mount Ida into the break.

After seventeen minutes of a scoreless second half, Lasell tucked in their first goal during the 62^nd minute.  A deflected cross into the front of the Mustangs net by senior forward Robby Gonzalez (Palmdale, CA) set up Dan Hatch (Avon, Mass.) to crush a shot past Enright, tying up the score.

The Lasers made the most of their momentum and used that energy to mount their second attack.  At 70:14, Eric Swahlan (Ballston Spa, NY) collected the ball off a failed clear attempt by Mount Ida and drilled it through the left corner of the goal, giving the visiting Lasers a 2-1 lead. 

Over the remaining 20 minutes of the contest, the Mustangs did not get another chance to answer and the Lasers upheld their victory.  

Lasell's senior, goaltender Julian Dutton (Madison, Conn.) stopped six shots by the Mustangs on the way to his sixth season win. 

The Mustangs drop to third place in the conference with the loss while the Lasers retain their first place ranking.  Lasell will host Emmanuel College on Saturday, October 17^th at 3:30 p.m. on Grellier Field during Family, Friends, and Alumni Weekend at Lasell College.  The Lasers will also celebrate their senior day, honoring six men's soccer athletes who are playing in their last season in the blue & white.  Gonzalez, Dutton, Paul Meucci (Vernon, Conn.), Brandon Hanss (Halifax, Mass.), Tholemson Francois (Stoneham, Mass.), and Shane Vinnicombe (Pomfret Center, Conn.) are Lasell's six seniors.