Tollis Tallies Twice, Owls Torpedo Buccaneers 4-1

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State sophomore Tia Tollis (East Longmeadow, Mass.) scored a pair of goals to lead Westfield State to a 4-1 victory over Mass. Maritime Academy in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference opener on Saturday afternoon from Buzzards Bay, Mass.

The Owls, now winners of three of their last four games, improve to 3-3-2 on the season and 1-0 in the MASCAC. The Buccaneers drop to 0-4-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Westfield jumped in front just 5:41 into the match off a corner kick from Delaney Parker (Orange, Mass.) which was crossed in the direction of Tollis who then headed a shot towards goal which was blocked, deflecting to the foot of first-year Kylie Tomasetti (Northborough, Mass.) who netted her first collegiate goal to make it a 1-0 Owls lead.

With under 14 minutes left in the half, Erin White (Plympton, Mass.) intercepted a clearing attempt for the Buccaneers where she would settle the ball, then loft a shot from twenty yards out that dropped just underneath the crossbar and over the outstretched hands of Maritime keeper Reagan Kerecz (Tolland, Conn.) for a two-goal Owls lead. 

The Owls would find the back of the net for a third time late in the half, capitalizing on another corner kick attempt. Kiana Muratsuka (Mililani, Hawaii) chipped the ball into a crowd of players in the center of the box where Tollis was able to head home her first of two scores on the game as Westfield entered the half ahead 3-0.

The Buccaneers opened the second half with a goal by Ayla Santoro (Attleboro, Mass.) 2:01 into the frame, but Westfield was able to respond in the 59^th minute of the game. With Mass. Maritime unable to handle a bouncing ball at the top of the penalty area, Tollis was first to play the ball where she would fire a low shot to the left side of the net and past the diving Kerecz to regain a three-goal lead and put the game out of reach.

On a windy and rainy afternoon, the Owls controlled play throughout, outshooting Mass. Maritime 31-4 in the match which resulted in a hefty 15-3 shots on goal advantage. Westfield also made the most of their 12 corner attempts, directly resulting in two of the Owls four goals.

Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass.) recorded her second win of the season for the Owls, collecting three saves. Kerecz (L, 0-4-1) was busy in net throughout, piling up ten saves for the Buccaneers.

Westfield State will hit the road for their next game as the Owls travel to Smith College on Tuesday at 4:00 P.M.