Kaim scores first two goals for men’s soccer program

CHICOPEE, Mass. – In a season filled with firsts, Wheelock sophomore Max Kaim (Fort Lauderdale, FL) etched his name in the record books by scoring the first two goals in the history of the program in Saturday’s 7-2 loss to Elms College. Blazer freshman forward Tavish Leland (Bridgton, ME) netted a pair of first half goals to help lift the Elms College to their first New England Collegiate Conference men’s soccer opener at Leary Field. (Right: Max Kaim gets the ball inbounds).

With the win, Elms improves to 2-4 overall, 1-0 in the NECC, while Wheelock slips to 0-2 on the season, 0-1 in league play.

The Blazers were quick out of the gate, scoring four times in the first half. Senior midfielder Ben Masse (Chicopee, MA) got the scoring started with a long goal at the 12:44 mark. Two minutes later, junior defender Chris Silva (Chicopee, MA) was awarded a penalty kick and delivered for Elms' second tally.

Elms kept the pressure on Wheelock's defense as sophomore forward Tom Ferruolo (Arlington, VT) flicked the ball with his head to Leland sprinting up the middle of the field. Leland finished with a shot in the left corner of the net, giving the Blazers a 3-0 lead sixteen minutes into the contest. Leland struck again at the 17:46 mark when he maneuvered past Wildcat keeper Victor Kashouh (Providence, RI) and placed the ball in the back of the net. The sophomore goalie would finish with 17 saves on the day.

Wheelock got on the board when Kaim (Fort Lauderdale, FL) took advantage of a penalty kick situation bringing the score to 4-1 in the 26th minute.

The Wildcats scored again at the 60:05 mark when Peter Bartmon (Amherst, MA) connected with Kaim on a through ball that Kaim drove home for his second goal of the game and cutting the Wheelock deficit in half at 4-2.

From there, the Blazers regained control as Courtney Johnson (Belchertown, MA) corralled a pass from freshman midfielder Tyler Ziemba (Chicopee, MA) and found the back of the net, lifting the lead to 5-2. Silva then found sophomore forward Adam Schnopp (Pittsfield, MA) with a beautiful service pass that Schnopp headed past Kashouh for a 6-2 lead.

Junior midfielder Sam Senecal (Chicopee, MA) capped the scoring when he blasted a shot past the keeper off a free kick at the 87:58 mark to bring the score to 7-2.

Elms applied intense offensive pressure throughout the contest, winning the shot and corner kick battles 54-7 and 14-0 respectively.