Nighthawks Soar Past Blazers

The Newbury College men's soccer team defeated Elms College, 5-1 in Wednesday afternoon's NECC Quarterfinal match at Pine Manor College for their first NECC post-season victory.

Through the majority of the first half, these two equally strong teams battled each other in a tight scoreless contest.  Much credit has to go to both the Blazer and Nighthawk defenses and goalkeepers who played solid in the first post-season game of the season.  Newbury sophomore William McNally (Grafton, MA/Marion) and Elms senior Nick Pellegrini (Ludlow, MA/Ludlow) combined to save 15 shots.

After playing the first 37 minutes without a goal, the Nighthawks jumped on the board first. Newbury freshman Shaundize Moosavizadeh (Winchester, MA/Winchester) found the back of the net off a rebound from Newbury junior Joseph Lawer (Worcester, MA/Burncoat). Four minutes later they would add to the lead when Moosavizadeh found junior Kevin Gregory (Blacksburg, VA/Blacksburg) in front of the net for the second goal of the match.

The Nighthawks scored three more goals in the second half including a goal by Lawer from sophomore Andy Osei (Worcester, MA/Burncoat), four minutes into the half, to add to his assist in the first. Elms sophomore Tom Ferrulo (Arlington, VT/Arlington Memorial) scored the Blazers lone goal off a pass from classmate, sophomore Adam Schnopp (Pittsfield, MA/Pittsfield).

With the win Newbury College (6-13, 5-2 NECC) advances to the NECC Semi-Finals on Friday November 6 where they will face #2 Lesley University (5-1-1, 14-3-2 NECC) at 8:00pm at Buckingham, Brown & Nichols. The Nighthawks defeated the Lynx in overtime, 2-1, the last time they squared off this season on October 13. 

- Game story submitted by Lindsay Graham

- Game photo provided by Samantha Yanofsky