Chicopee, MA --- Elms College junior Adam O'Grady (Somers, CT) 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 first-year Alfred Sogja (Shkoder, Albania) delivered a beautiful pass from just outside to the six-yard box to junior Brian Cormier (Hudson, MA) 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 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.

O'Grady then scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 78th minute of action when he received a fantastic through ball from junior 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 sophomore Alex Goncalves (Ludlow, MA), but Worcester State could not net the equalizer.

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

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

Elms returns to non-league action on Thursday when it travels to Mount Ida College for a 3:30 PM contest with the Mustangs. The Blue and Gold host Salem State in a MASCAC affair at 3 o'clock on Saturday.

Full Release Courtesy of Elms College Sports Information