WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester State University men's soccer team came from behind to knock off Fitchburg State University 3-1 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference action at Coughlin Field.
With the win, Worcester State improves to 6-8-0 on the season and 2-3-0 in the MASCAC. The Falcons drop to 5-7-2 and 2-2-1 in league play.
Neither team was able to break the ice in the opening half, despite the Lancers carrying the play. Worcester State outshot Fitchburg 11-3 and held a 4-1 advantage on the corner count, but the teams went to the locker rooms scoreless.
Fitchburg State scored the game's first goal in the 54th minute, as Zachary Buckland buried one from in close off a rebound to put his Falcons up 1-0.
Fifteen minutes later, in the 69th minute, Worcester State found the equalizer as senior Ethan Melia (Shrewsbury, Mass.) scored on a penalty kick, leveling the score at 1-1.
Just over five minutes later, Melia would put the Lancers in front for the first time on the afternoon, and he headed a Joe Donnelly (Dracut, Mass.) feed in the 74th minute.
For good measure, junior Liren Halle (Arlington, Texas) added an insurance marker off a free kick in the 77th minute, helping the Lancers secure the key conference victory over the Falcons.
Worcester State keeper Henri Guilmette (Franklin, Mass.) got the win for the Lancers, making six saves. The loss went to Fitchburg's Branten Abbett (Jasper, Ind.), despite a strong 11 save outing.
The Lancers will look to stay hot when they play a road contest at MIT on Wednesday evening. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
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