MCC loses to Lewis & Clark in soccer nationals

Maura Martin (Gates Chili) scored for Monroe Community College as the Tribunes fell 4-1 to Lewis & Clark of Godfrey, Ill., in the first round of the NJCAA National tournament at Chandler-Gilbert CC in Chandler, Ariz., on Thursday.

Lewis & Clark took a 2-0 halftime lead and a 3-0 lead in the 52nd minute with goals from Kaylee Neutzling, Jamie Buehrle and Kelly Musenfechter.

MCC scored with 17:11 remaining.

Kasey O’Connell (Greece Arcadia) was taken down in the box and Martin converted the penalty kick to cut the deficit to 3-1.

But the Tribunes drew no closer. Musenfechter added another goal for Lewis & Clark in the 82nd minute to seal the win.

Bridget Belli added three assists for the Blazers.

Amanda Prestigiacomo (Greece Athena) and Kamika Forbes each made four saves for MCC, which was outshot 12-7.

The Tribunes and the Blazers met on Aug. 31, with the Blazers coming away with a 3-0 win.

MCC heads to the consolation bracket and will play Navarro CC at 1:30 this afternoon.

Navarro lost to North Idaho 3-2 in the first round.

If MCC wins its last two games, it would finish in fifth place in nationals — matching last season’s finish.

The Tribunes are 15-5-1 under first-year coach Sal Galvano, a Gates Chili and SUNY Brockport graduate.

Galvano replaced Tracey Britton, who won three national titles in nine seasons with a record of 171-12-9 before stepping down last summer.

This report is by the Democrat and Chronicle.