10/03/2007
Second-Half Surge Leads Men's Soccer past Fitchburg State College

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/03/07 - Goals by Lino Goncalves (Newton, Mass.) and Marc Labbe (Waterville, Me.) lifted Clark University to a 2-0 non-conference men’s soccer victory over Fitchburg State College on Wednesday night at Granger Field.

Winners of two straight, Clark improves to 4-2-4 overall. Fitchburg State falls to 2-6-1 on the season.

After a scoreless first half, Clark opened the scoring just :39 seconds into the second frame. Sophomore John Machado’s (Bristol, Conn.) attempt clanged off the crossbar, but Goncalves fired the rebound to the far left corner for a 1-0 Clark advantage. It was his first goal of the season.

The Cougars had several chances to extend their lead, but sophomore Preben Gietz (Waterloo, Belgium) pushed his free kick just over the top of the net and first-year Kyle Klapp’s (Schenectady, N.Y.) bid rolled wide of the left post.

Clark finally netted an insurance goal with 1:53 remaining in the game. Labbe, positioned just outside the six-yard box, took a short toe-touch pass from Mike Trobagis (Acton, Mass.) and beat Fitchburg goalie Matt Carey (Stratford, Conn.) with a shot to the lower left corner. It was Labbe’s team-leading seventh marker of the year.

Clark, which held a 12-3 shot advantage in the second half, only allowed the Falcons just one shot on goal in the frame.

Both teams had quality chances in an evenly matched first stanza. Fitchburg’s Kevin Mascary (North Easton, Mass.) came streaking down the right side and drilled a ball that was saved by Clark keeper Peter Wise (Providence, R.I.) in the second minute of play and later broke in alone and placed a soft shot to Wise’s outstretched hands.

Clark had similar opportunities, but Machado’s header from senior David Blum (Irvington, N.Y.) deflected off a defender and a 25-yard blast from senior Joe Silva (Westbury, N.Y.) drifted wide in the 15th minute.

Wise stopped seven shots to post his third shutout of the season. Carey made five saves in goal for Fitchburg.

The Cougars maintained a 7-1 edge in corner kicks and outshot the visitors, 18-9 in the game.

Clark will host Springfield College in a key NEWMAC contest on Saturday (2:30 p.m.).