10/05/2009
Men's Soccer: Oops ... He Did It Again! Machado Nets Gamewinner For Cougars

Worcester, Mass. - For the second straight match, senior John Machado (Bristol, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal - this time a little more than six minutes into the first overtime to lift host Clark to a 2-1 victory over visiting Springfield in men's soccer action on Monday evening on Granger Field.

The win improves the Cougars' 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 (Acton, Mass.) off a feed from freshman Gianluca Ranallo (Scarsdale, N.Y.) at the 19:15 mark.

Clark'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 (Guilderland, N.Y.) 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 (Waterloo, Belgium). The ball, however, ricocheted off the right post right to a trailing Cody Kaczetow, but his shot sailed high over the crossbar.

Machado's game-winner came at the 6:57 mark of the extra session off a pass from Tim Doenmez (Dublin, N.H.), 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 (Brimfield, Mass.) turned back four shots for the Cougars.

Clark returns to action on Wednesday with a 6:00 p.m. home matchup with Lasell, while Springfield hosts MCLA.