Worcester, Mass. – October 5, 2009 – The Clark University men’s soccer team slipped past visiting Springfield College, 2-1, in overtime on Monday evening in a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest on Granger Field.
For the second straight match, senior John Machado scored the game-winning goal – this time a little more than four minutes into the first overtime to lift the Cougars to victory.
The win improves the CougarsÂ' record to 7-3 overall and 1-2 in NEWMAC action while the Pride dip to 3-6-1 and 1-2 in league play.
Originally scheduled for last Saturday but postponed due to weather, the match started off with Clark jumping out to an early lead with the team-leading seventh goal from graduate student Mike Trobagis off a feed from freshman Gianluca Ranallo at the 19:15 mark.
ClarkÂ's lead would be short-lived however, as Springfield answered back when John Plourd set up Eric Stalsburg for the equalizer less than a minute later.
Things remained the same for the rest of regulation as both teams had their own opportunities to take the lead. Junior Kyle Klapp fired a shot in the 75th minute for the Cougars that Pride netminder Chris Walton turned back with a diving stop in midair going to his right.
Springfield actually had two chances in the 88th minute when Plourd had a breakaway but his shot was saved by Clark defender Preben Gietz. The ball, however, ricocheted off the right post right to a trailing Cody Kaczetow, but his shot sailed high over the crossbar.
MachadoÂ's game-winner came at the 6:57 mark of the extra session off a pass from Tim Doenmez , who collected his fifth assist of the season. The goal for Machado gives him two on the season – and equals his career total entering this year.
Ranallo, meanwhile, added his seventh assist of the season – a total that is best in the NEWMAC – and he now has at least one in each of the last three games.
The match was even throughout with Clark holding edges in shots (18-14) and corner kicks (8-3).
Walton made five saves in goal for the Pride, while freshman Ryan King turned back four shots for the Cougars.
