Worcester, MA- After a hard second half last Wednesday, the Worcester State Men's Soccer team (1-6-1, 0-1-1) is primed to get back to success and grab their first win in conference. The Blue and Gold will make a quick jump north to Fitchburg State to square up with the Falcons, a game last year that saw Worcester come away with the 3-0 victory.
Final 3-0
Worcester State: 3
Fitchburg State: 0
How it Happened:
The first half started out with even possession controlled by both teams but Fitchburg State would be the first to get a shot as Francesco Campoon and Elijah Kalombo were turned away by the Worcester State goalie first year Sergio Torrado (Arroyomolinos, ES). Two fouls by the Falcons gave Worcester the ability to take some shots of their own, but a header by first year Jeffery Burns (Narragansett, Ri) which travel wide. Fitchburg had record seven fouls in the first half but the Lancers were unable to capitalize on the opposing teams mistakes as multiple attempts by a wide range of Worcester atack would go wide of the frame.
Going into the second half both teams understood the game was on the line and a score was needed to break the stalemate. Twenty one seconds into the second half, Worcester State's sophomore Nick Guidi (Wilbraham, MA) would rise to the challenge as his shot managed to find the back of the net. This was Guidi's first goal of the season and a momentum changing score for Worcester so early in the second half. Guidi received the ball from senior Mal Hawkins (View Park, CA) and beat a defender to put it in the bottom left of the cage. The Falcons tried to push right back from a shot by Elijah Kalombo which Torrado, in net for Worcester, was able to save. Going down the field with Worcester having possession again, graduate student Manny Ramirez (Waltham, MA) shot the ball which dinged off the post but Guidi was in great position to tap the ball into the empty net on the rebound for his second goal of the season, day, and the game, all in just under five minutes into the half. Fitchburg pushed back with shots of their own but Torrado stood tall to defend his net. The intensity mounted as the Falcons saw time sleeping away to get back into this game, while Worcester pushed and moved around the field looking to expand their lead. Fitchburg had some big pushes at the end but was unable to score while the Lancers had one final push down field and ended up capitalizing on a shot by junior Brady Lovanni (Lunenburg, MA) assisted by Hawkins, Iovanni also scored his first of the season to extend Worcester's lead to 3-0. The score would remain set at 3-0 as the final horn sounded as Worcester grabbed their first conference win of the season.
Guidi would lead Worcester with two goals while Hawkins and Ramires would each end the day with an assist. Torrado would record six saves in his shutout victory.
What's Next
The Lancers (2-6-1, 1-1-1) will remain on the road for their next contest as this time they travel west to Springfield for a 6pm meeting next Tuesday.