Worcester, MA --- Worcester State and Western Connecticut played to a tie in double overtime in non-conference men's soccer action at Coughlin Field. With the draw, the Lancers move to 3-5-2 overall while the Colonials now stand at 1-7-2 on the season.
The games scoring occurred early in the first half. Western Connecticut went up 1-0 in the fourth minute when junior Max Schneider (New Milford, CT) scored his first goal of the year on a breakaway shot from 15-yards away from the net.
WSU responded eight minutes later on a cross from sophomore Dan Goodine (Dracut, MA) to freshman Michael Jordan (Ludlow, MA). The marker was Jordan's second this season.
The Blue and Gold would finish the opening frame with a 12-8 advantage in shots, but the Colonials would hold them off. Lancer senior Justin Biela (Bridgewater, MA) would have the best opportunity in the 33rd minute on a shot that was saved by sophomore netminder Jack Holub (Sherman, CT) and the rebound was kicked out of the net by senior Matt Maher (New Milford, CT).
Western Connecticut came out in the second half and controlled play for a good majority as they would outshoot the hosts, 13-6, in the second stanza.
Both squads had chances to put the decisive marker on the board late in the contest. In the 82nd minute, Jordan had an open look on a feed from senior Julian Morales (Bogata, Columbia), but his attempt went just to the right.
Colonial senior Ryan Rose (Bethel, CT) had several opportunities in the 86th minute – one was stopped by fourth-year keeper Evan Wilga (Dudley, MA) and his other bid off of a corner kick was blocked by the Lancer defense. Classmate Mike Sullivan (Shelton, CT) also missed a bid on a ball that was on the right side of the box as time expired to force the extra session.
Western Connecticut held the 6-2 advantage in shots in the overtime periods. The best prospect either team had was when Lancer freshman Dominic DiDonato (Putnam, CT) had a good look on a breakaway, but he was denied by Holub.
The visitors held a 27-20 lead in shots for the game as WSU had the 5-4 edge in corners. All five corners for the hosts were in the opening half of play.
Wilga finished with eight shots in the draw while Holub collected seven for Western Connecticut.
Both teams will return to their respective conference schedules on Saturday. Worcester State travels to Westfield State for a 6 PM game as the Colonials will entertain Rhode Island College at noon.