BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. - Junior Liren Halle (Arlington, Texas) scored the game-winning goal 4:50 into the overtime period as the Worcester State University men's soccer team defeated Mass. Maritime in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action Friday evening at Clean Harbors Stadium.
With the win, Worcester State improves to 3-5-0 overall on the season, and 1-0-0 in the MASCAC. The Buccaneers drop to 1-5-2 and 0-1-0 in the MASCAC.
Worcester State got on the board early in the contest on a fifth minute goal by senior Alfred Koroma (Millbury, Mass.). Koroma broke down the right side on what seemed to be a harmless play, but unleashed a rocket from 30 yards out that eluded the fingertips of the Buccaneer goalkeeper to put Worcester State ahead 1-0.
The score remained 1-0 for the majority of the match, until Mass. Maritime got on the board on a 20-yard free kick in the 76th minute that would eventually force the extra session.
The teams had an extra wait prior to kickoff for the overtime period, as the lights at Clean Harbors Stadium unexpectedly shut off, leaving the field in pure darkness. The game was delayed approximately 15 minutes.
After play resumed, Halle buried the game-winner on the only shot for either side in the overtime period. From the midfield, junior Lincoln Henry (Kingston, Jamaica) played a slick ball forward into space for Halle to run into. Mass. Maritime's keeper came out to swallow up the feed, but misplayed the ball, and Halle had a tap-in to seal the victory. The junior calmly tucked it into the bottom left corner of the net, and the Lancers escaped with a thrilling win.
Senior goalkeeper Henri Guilmette (Franklin, Mass.) got the win in net for the Lancers, recording three saves.
Worcester State outshot Mass. Maritime by a margin of 16-9 in the match, and led the corner count 5-3.
Next up for the Lancers, they will be off until next Saturday when they play Salem State in an 11 a.m. home matchup as part of Homecoming weekend.
#WooMSOC