Jon Santer
Sports Editor
Led by junior defender Drew Sommer’s goal and three assists, the Springfield College men’s soccer team defeated Clark University, 5-0 at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon.
The Pride, who are now 8-2 (2-1), put on an offensive display against the Cougars, with eight different members of the team registering a point in the match. Clark, who dropped to 3-7-1 (0-3), had trouble solving the Springfield defense all afternoon.
“Our overall effort was amazing. We had a few guys like Drew Sommer and Ryan Malone step up for us,” commented head coach Steffen Siebert following the victory. “The most important thing for me was that the stuff we worked on during the week came out in the game, and two of our goals were scored just how we practiced them.”
Just 6:42 into the contest, senior defender Ryan Malone kick-started the Pride with his seventh goal of the seas
on, which found its way into the bottom right corner of the net off of a pretty feed from Sommer on the left side of the field.
Just 45 seconds later, Sommer put the Pride up 2-0 when he streaked down the left side of the field and buried a shot into the bottom right corner of the net with the outside of his foot.
“Malone’s first goal really set the tempo,” said Sommer. “We just keep improving and getting better. We have such a good defense so we know if we score one we are going to either tie or win.”
Chances for Springfield came often in the first half, highlighted by senior Danny Amato finding himself point blank in front of the net before Clark goalkeeper Allstair Richardson reached out and stuffed him to register one of his three saves.
Springfield College’s goalkeeping duo of Billy Schmid and Zach Richard joined efforts to complete the shutout. Schmid, the starter, took the victory, making three saves along the way.
With 19:26 remaining in the first half, junior Tyler Allen sent a high-flying cross to the back side of the net, when senior defender John Mankus rose above his defender and placed the ball just out of the reach of Richardson to put the Pride up 3-0.
As the first half came to a close, Sommer dribbled the ball down the left side of the field and sent a cross into the penalty-box, where freshman Matt Dickmann came in with a full head of steam and buried a header past Richardson.
The final Springfield goal came with 32:20 remaining in the game when sophomore Austin Vico dribble the ball up-field, centered a pass to Dickmann, who one-touched it to senior midfielder Scott Morneault. Morneault carried the ball to the right side of the box and then took a shot, which struck the left post and careened into the net, putting the Pride up 5-0.
Springfield will travel just up the road to Chicopee, Mass. on Sunday where they will take on Elms College. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.