Mens Soccer Falls To Westfield State in Overtime, 2-1

Mens Soccer Falls To Westfield State in Overtime, 2-1

 

Worcester, MA --- Westfield State junior Kristian Driscoll (Lexington, MA) scored off a header with three seconds left in the first overtime to help lift the visiting Owls past Worcester State, 2-1, in MASCAC men's soccer action this afternoon at Coughlin Field.

Worcester State (1-6-1, 0-2-1 MASCAC) would open the scoring when junior Alex Wolfel (Unionville, CT) would corral his own rebound off a penalty shot and find the back of the net for his first goal of the season at the 26:30 mark of the first stanza.

The Lancers would head into the half with the slight advantage in shots (7-6) and corner kicks, 3-1.

The Owls (4-4-1, 3-0 MASCAC) would knot the game 1-1 in the 57th minute when senior Jared Spicer (Carver, MA) fired a laser from the left side of the box that was redirected off a Worcester State defender and into the goal marking his team-best third goal of the season.

The remainder of regulation was a back and forth effort by both teams, with each goalie making big saves to keep the score tied.

Heading into the overtime period Westfield State grabbed the 16-13 edge in shots while Worcester State held the slight advantage in corner kicks, 3-2.

As time wound down in the extra session, the Owls were awarded a corner kick with 20 seconds remaining. First-year Kevin Bengle (W. Springfield, MA) found the loose ball in front of the net and he shot a rocket that was stopped by the right hand of WSU freshman keeper Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA).

Driscoll then eyed the loose ball that was up in the air and he used his head to redirect it into the net as time expired for the golden goal to end the game and help keep the Owls unbeaten in conference play.

Zucco was solid between the pipes for Worcester State as he turned aside five shots in the losing effort – including a trio in overtime.

Sophomore Keith Hevey (Chicopee, MA) stopped seven of the eight shots he saw on net before he gave way to junior Kris Carrington (Agawam, MA) who played the final 1:28 of the game to earn the winning decision.

Both squads return to action on Wednesday afternoon on the road at 4 PM. Worcester State heads to Eastern Connecticut while the Owls head to Trinity (CT).

 

Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant