O’Grady Nets Two Goals to Lift Men’s Soccer Past Worcester State University, 2-1

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Elms College junior forward Adam O'Grady (Somers, Conn.) scored a pair of goals including one on a penalty kick opportunity, and freshman goalkeeper Nicholson Pennant (Kingston, Jamaica) made nine saves to help lift the Blazers to a 2-1 victory over Worcester State University in Tuesday evening's non-conference men's soccer game.

With the win, Elms is 3-0-1 in its last four games and improves to 4-5-1 on the season. Worcester State moves to 1-8-2 overall.

Worcester State struck early in the first half when Alfred Sogja (Albania) delivered a beautiful pass from just outside the six-yard box to Brian Cormier (Hudson, Mass.) who finished off the play with a goal to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead 19 minutes into the contest.

Twelve minutes later, Elms was awarded a penalty kick which Adam O'Grady pounded into the left corner of the net to even the game at 1-1.

Worcester State controlled pace of play throughout much of the second stanza, but Pennant made six of his nine stops during the frame and the Blazers played solid defense to hold the Lancers off the board for the remainder of the contest.

Adam O'Grady then scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 78^th minute of action when he received a fantastic through ball from junior forward Ziggy Jonathan (Burundi, Africa) and finished with his second goal of the game into the left corner of the goal to give the Blazers a 2-1 advantage.

The Lancers had a few late scoring chances, including two from Alex Goncalves (Ludlow, Mass.) but Worcester State could not net the equalizer.

"It's been nice to string together some victories," head coach Chris Streeter said following the game. "We were a little shaky at times today, but I was happy with the way our guys were able to hang tough and hold on for the win."

O'Grady notched six shots on goal and senior forward Tavish Leland (Bridgton, Maine) added two to spark Elms' offensive output.

Goncalves and Brendan Whitson (Auburn, Mass.) fired two shots on goal each in the losing effort for the Lancers, while Worcester State goalkeeper Nick Zucco (Ludlow, Mass.) made six saves.

Elms returns to non-league action on Thursday, October 11 when it travels to Mount Ida College for a 3:30 p.m. contest with the Mustangs.