BENNINGTON, Vt.- For the first time in SVC Men's soccer history, the Mountaineers beat MCLA. Tuesday afternoon Southern Vermont used a goal in each half to top the TrailBlazers 2-0 at Everett Field, in NCAA non-conference action. The win was the first for Southern Vermont in 15 tries, dating back to 1993 when the schools' first met.

"A win anytime, no matter who it is against, is great. It is special for our seniors to see how far we have come in their four years. MCLA is a good team and in a good conference, so this is a quality win for us," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Tim Penrod.

SVC found the back of the net for the first time in the 15th minute when a deflected ball found the feet of Erik Argueta. Argueta then mishit a ball, but it was enough to beat MCLA keeper, Shawn Willis.

For the remainder of the first half the two squads, each had opportunities as MCLA finished the half with six shots and SVC had four.

Eight minutes into the second half Ignacio Cervantes played a ball to Pierre Massena, who was fouled in the box, after beating the keeper. SVC was awarded a penalty kick for the foul, and Cervantes quickly stepped up and finished the PK home.

With 32:18 remaining in the game Argueta looked to make the score 3-0 when he received a ball from Noah Massucci at the top of the box. Argueta collected the ball and fired a low driven shot that clanged off the post. The ball rebounded out to Nick Haggerty who volleyed the ball but Willis made the save.

With five minutes left it looked as if the Blazers had scored when Tedd Cecchetelli, put the ball in the back of the net. However, the goal was nullified by an offsides call, keeping the score at 2-0, SVC.

"A great thing about this game is it prepares us for the post-season. MCLA is a quick and physical team," said Penrod. "We showed what type of soccer we are capable of playing today, as well as the fact we are not content with only winning in our conference."

For the entire second half MCLA made multiple runs forward, but the Mountaineers defense never broke. MCLA took 14 shots in the second half but the SVC defense and goalkeeper Connor Anniello turned everything away.

Southern Vermont is now 9-4 in 2011 while MCLA is 4-8-1. The Mountaineers will host Lesley University in a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) showdown on Saturday afternoon at the Mountaineer Athletic Center.