Anischik Nets Second Half PK, Owls Fend Off Corsairs, 3-2

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State sophomore Charlie Anischik (South Hadley, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal on a penalty kick attempt as the Owls withstood a second half rally from UMass Dartmouth to prevail 3-2 in a non-conference match on Saturday afternoon from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.

Tied 2-2 in the second half, Jesse Njamnshi (Fitchburg, Mass.) directed a pass into the center of the box, drawing a UMass-Dartmouth hand ball to set up a penalty kick for the Owls. Anischik stepped up to the ball and fired a low shot to the left side of the net with Corsairs goalkeeper Ethan Donahue (Salem, Mass.) diving the opposite way to put Westfield in front with just under 20 minutes to play in regulation.

In the first half, the Owls built up a two-goal advantage starting in the 12^th minute of action. Four minutes into the match, Corsairs midfielder Justin Petrillo (Marshfield, Mass.) fired a high shot that hit the crossbar, bouncing up and out of play.

Six minutes later, Miguel Fortich (Springfield, Mass.) passed the ball upfield to a cutting Nicholas Parakilas (East Windsor, Conn.) who's first shot rang off the right post, deflecting back to Parakilas in the center of the box where he would net his fifth marker of the season to give Westfield a 1-0 lead.

Parakilas initiated the Owls second goal of the match, starting a flurry of three consecutive shot attempts launched towards the Corsairs net. Parakilas' shot was saved by Donahue with the rebound finding Coleby Andrade (Falmouth, Mass.) who's shot was blocked by a Corsairs defender. The blocked shot ricocheted to Aidan Ferguson (Augsburg, Germany) who rocketed a left-footed shot into the net, doubling the Westfield lead inside the 17^th minute.  

In the second half, UMass Dartmouth quickly cut the deficit in half, generating havoc in front of the net starting with a shot from graduate forward Joey Paiva (Dartmouth, Mass.) that was saved by Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.) but not controlled as the ball found the foot of first-year Daniel Jordan (Needham, Mass.) who notched the Corsairs first goal of the match two minutes into the half.

With 30 minutes left in regulation, Delano Costa (Taunton, Mass.) sent a pass upfield from the other side of midfield out in front of Paiva who raced towards the ball, maneuvered through a pair of Owls defenders and lifted a shot past Theroux for the equalizer.

The game remained tied until Anischik's penalty tally in the 71^st minute as Westfield would survive for the remaining 18 minutes of game action for their third win of the season, evening their overall record at 3-3.

The Owls and Corsairs finished with an even 21 total shots which tilted in the Owls favor in the second half 15-11. Theroux (W, 2-1) registered five saves for the Owls while Donahue (L, 0-4-1) secured nine saves, including six in the second half.

Today's match was a tribute game to the 1974 Owls men's soccer team along with Coach John Kurty in celebration of the team's historic achievement in reaching the NCAA Final Four. Both the team and Coach Kurty were honored at halftime for their inductions into the MASCAC Hall of Fame.

Westfield State will remain home for their next match, facing Mass. Maritime in the MASCAC opener on Friday at 7:00 P.M. from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.