Men's Soccer Draws Against Lasell in Conference Opener

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Soccer team hosted Lasell University for their conference opener on Saturday afternoon at Leary Field. 

BASICS
Score: Elms College 5 | Lasell University 5
Records: Blazers 4-1-1, 0-0-1 (GNAC) | Lasers 2-2-1, 0-0-1 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms would come out of the gate with an extra step, with senior forward Jacobo Molina Ferrer (Valencia, Spain) scoring in the second minute of play, after finding a pass from sophomore Ramaul Morgan, Jr. (Port Chester, N.Y.). Following the goal, both sides would continue to put offensive pressure, including a shot from sophomore forward/defender Ibrahim Ayouba (Springfield, Mass.), but Lasell would even the score shortly thereafter. As the first half continued, the two GNAC opponents would continue to trade possession, until the Blazers would draw a penalty shot and junior forward Dru Fairthorne (Ludlow, Mass.) would score the goal to take the lead. A few minutes later, Elms would make their way down the field where Molina Ferrer would connect a pass to Fairthorne for his second goal to take a 3-1 lead going into the halftime break. The Blazers would see additional shots from junior midfielder Andrew Velasquez (Ellington, Conn.), Morgan, Jr., and Ayouba, along with four saves from sophomore goalkeeper Jack Bousquet (Clinton, Conn.).

The second half would see both teams looking for some offensive momentum, with Elms taking five shots, including a shot from junior midfielder Jelani John (Castries, Saint Lucia). Shortly thereafter, the Blazers would draw a second penalty shot opportunity and would see Molina Ferrer make the successful goal to increase their lead 4-1. As the half moved on, the Lasers would capitalize on a penalty shot opportunity of their own and a pair of goals to tie the 4-4. As the clock continued to wind down, Elms would continue their efforts to take back the lead and were successful after Ayouba would score on a rebound attempt off a Molina Ferrer shot to take the lead 5-4. Unfortunately, Lasell would once again score an equalizing goal in the 88th minute and the conference matchup would finish in a 5-5 draw.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Molina Ferrer and Fairthorne would score two goals each with a combined seven shots on net, with two assists from Molina Ferrer.

• Ayouba would also score a goal.

• Bousquet would make six saves of the 11 shots he faced.

• Ayouba, John, Morgan, Jr., and A.Velasquez would each take shots in the conference matchup, along with an assist from Morgan, Jr.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Soccer team will travel to Framingham, Mass. to face Framingham State University in a non-conference game on Tuesday, September 16th at 4 pm.

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