WESTFIELD, Mass. - A goal from senior Alfred Koroma (Millbury, Mass.) in the 60th minute was the difference as the Worcester State University men's soccer team claimed a 2-1 win over Westfield State in a MASCAC match at Alumni Field on Saturday afternoon.
The Lancers improve to 7-8-1 on the season and 3-3 in the league, assuring themselves of a postseason tournament bid. Westfield dips to 4-10-1 overall and 2–4 in the MASCAC. Westfield will need to secure at least a tie against Mass Maritime next Saturday for the Owls to be assured of a berth in the MASCAC playoffs.
Koroma's game winner came when teammate Lincoln Henry (Kingston, Jamaica) slipped a long through ball through the Owls back line, and Koroma beat Owls goalkeeper Tyler Diotalevi (Ludlow, Mass.) to the far side.
The Lancers grabbed a 1-0 lead just 1:41 into the match as Laszlo Dorogi (West Boylston, Mass.) stole a weak pass near midfield and bolted to the Owls goal, using good footwork to a beat a pair of defenders and find the far side netting.
Westfield tied the match at 1-1 in the 50th minute. Paul Soucy (Acushnet, Mass.) lofted a long free kick into the penalty area, where it was knocked down by a Lancers defender, but right to the feet of Nate Weaver (Westfield, Mass.), who buried the shot from seven yards out.
Westfield generated a corner kick and a long throw in opportunity in the final three minutes, but was not able to get a quality scoring chance from either.
Diotalevi finished with three saves for Westfield, while Henri Guillmette (Franklin, Mass.) made four stops for Worcester State. Westfield held a 15-13 advantage in total shots, while Worcester generated three corner kicks to the Owls' two.
Next up for the Lancers, they will take on Keene State on Tuesday evening for their Senior Night at Coughlin Field.
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Release courtesy of Westfield State University Sports Information.