WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State men's soccer team outlasted Westfield State 5-4 in penalty kicks to win Tuesday night's Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference Quarterfinal at Coughlin Field.
The defenses held strong over the game's first 90 minutes and two overtime periods. Both teams had a few opportunities to score, but neither could find the back of the net. The score remained 0-0 through regulation and stayed that way through two overtime periods. The Owls outshot the Lancers 16-9.
The crowd was on their feet ready for the shootout. While both teams struggled to find the back of the net during play they had no trouble finding it during penalty kicks.
For the Lancers, Jack Kellard (St. Albans, England), Bryan Brasil (Williamsburg, Mass.), Justin Echeverry (Methuen, Mass.), Cyrus Raines (Belchertown, Mass.), Ethan Melia (Shrewsbury, Mass.) all made their five shots during the shootout, each with their own flair. The Owls lined up Ryan Morais (Uxbridge, Mass.), Legend Mu'min (Springfield, Mass.), Sinha Kunphel (South Yarmouth, Mass.), Paul Soucy (Acushnet, Mass.) and Ian Jalbert (Avon, Conn.) to take the shots. Jalbert sailed one over the crossbar and with Melia's made shot the Lancers advanced to the MASCAC Semifinals.
Worcester State's Henri Guilmette (Franklin, Mass.) held strong for the Lancers making six saves over the course of the night, five coming in the first half. Griffin Brown (Southborough, Mass.) recorded four saves for the Owls over the course of the night keeping the score even through 110 minutes.
With the win, the Lancers advance to the MASCAC Semifinals, set for Friday evening at Framingham State University to kick off at 6pm. Even though the Lancers took the win and advance to the semifinals statistically the game will be recorded as a tie in the record books. Worcester State's record moves to 7-8-3 and Westfield State closes their season 5-5-5.
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