Buzzards Bay, MA --- Senior Brendan Whitson (Auburn, MA) netted a pair of goals and added an assist to help lead Worcester State past Mass Maritime, 4-1, in MASCAC men's soccer action this afternoon at Clean Harbor Stadium.

Worcester State (5-3-4, 3-0-1 MASCAC) jumped out to the early 1-0 advantage when Whitson let loose a rocket from the left side in the 4th minute.

The Buccaneers (5-4-2, 1-2-1 MASCAC) potted the equalizer off a beautiful corner kick by junior Rob Robbs (Braintree, MA) that found senior Asa Mills (Westport, MA) in front for the 1-1 score in the 22nd minute.

The Lancers regained the lead as Whitson found junior Derek Kareta (Ludlow, MA) on the left side and his blast found the back of the net in the 28th minute for the 2-1 edge.

The Blue and Gold stretched the two-goal margin midway through the second half when senior Phil Cepeda (Southbridge, MA) broke free from the defense up the middle and beat the goalie for the 3-1 score in the 65th minute.

Whitson then added an insurance goal in the 85th minute when senior Brian Cormier (Hudson, MA) sent him a beautiful middle cross and he was able to finish for the final score.

Worcester State outshot the Buccaneers, 15-6, and each team had three corner kicks. With his dish this afternoon, Cormier is now tied for the top spot in the MASCAC with four helpers on the campaign.

Sophomore Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA) stopped three balls for the Lancers while his counterpart freshman Joe Cohen (Plymouth, MA) registered four saves in the setback.

Both squads return to action on Tuesday as WSU travels to UMass-Boston for a 3:30 PM affair and Mass Maritime heads to Brandeis for a 7 PM contest.

Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant

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