Wednesday, September 28, 2011(Newton, Massachusetts) - The Mount Ida College men's soccer team struggled offensively Wednesday afternoon in Newton, Massachusetts while visiting Norwich University posted two goals, one in each half of play, downing the hosts in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest by a score of 2-0.
The Mustangs fall to 3-7 overall and slump to a league slate of 2-3 while the Cadets improve to 4-6 for 2011 with a GNAC record of 2-2.
The visitors struck first in the 24 minute of play on a cross into the middle of traffic right in front of the net. An immediate deflection threw off Mount Ida goaltender freshman Mat Pils (Monroe, CT/Masuk) for a 50/50 ball in front of the net. Mustang defender, senior Chris MacKinnon (Sudbury, MA/Lincoln-Sudbury), and a Norwich player went for the ball at the same time deflecting in the net for the 1-0 advantage in favor of the visitors.
In the 38th minute of the first half the hosts had a chance on a breakaway but a junior Ryan Richardson (Winfield, KS/Winfield) caromed a shot wide heading into the break with Norwich holding the 1-0 advantage.
The visitors didn't waste time scoring their second and final goal of the game 10 minutes into the second stanza (55th minute).
A ball on the base line looked as if it had gone out of play but no whistle by the referee kept the contest resumed with Cadet junior Garrett Shufelt (Clifton Park, NY/Columbia) sliding a pass into the middle of the net. Norwich sophomore Joe Young (McLean, VA/Langley) was right in front of the net to poke in the pass for the 2-0 lead and eventually the GNAC victory.
The Mustangs had trouble getting anything going offensively muster 12 shots, only two of which were on net. The visitors took 15 shots for the day with nine on net in a very physical game that showcased six cautions combined.
Mount Ida keeper Pils was strong with seven saves while visiting goaltender Alex Toomey (Anchorage, AK/South Anchorage) added two stops for the Cadets.
The Mustangs will head to non-league Newbury College Saturday afternoon with game time slated for 3:30 p.m. while the Cadets will travel to Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut with game time for 1:00 p.m.