Panajia, Battista Score as MCC improves to 7-0

SOMERVILLE, MA — Giuseppe Panajia (Glastonbury) scored in the 55th minute and Kevin Battista (Enfield) finished on a penalty kick in the 81st minute as MCC (7-0) remained unbeaten with a 2-0 win over Benjamin Franklin IT (3-3-1) in Somerville, MA Saturday night. Hami Kara (Wethersfield) had 22 saves for MCC.

Manny Nanadoum (Naugatuck) and Mariusz Kurzatkowski (Southington) set up Panajia’s fourth goal of the season with a pair of through passes after the teams played to a scoreless first half.

“This was a tough game,” MCC Head Coach Jim Insinga said. “They are a good team but we broke them down. We really put a lot of effort into the second half.”

Insinga cited his deep bench as the difference against a strong opponent on the road. “We kept subbing and when Frank (Busumbru) and the other guys were rested, we were able to put them away,” Insinga said. “We were methodical and played consistent defense and consistent soccer.”

Battista scored in his third consecutive game for the Cougars, who turned in their fifth straight shutout.

“Battista’s goal was a rifle shot,” according to Insinga, and the one that buried the Shockers, who came in with a 3-0 record in Region 21, Division III games.

MCC hosts Region 15 powerhouse Ulster County CC (5-1 through Friday) on Tuesday (Sept 29) at 4pm. “That will be a real test for us,” Insinga said. “Ulster is one of the top teams in New England and finish in the top ten every year.”

#10 ranked Ulster is in Stone Ridge, NY, and is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.