Worcester, MA --- Senior Brendan Whitson (Auburn, MA) collected a hat-trick to help propel Worcester State to a 4-1 triumph over Westfield State in MASCAC men's soccer action this evening at Coughlin Field.
With the victory the Lancers improve to 8-3-4 overall and remain unbeaten in conference play with a mark of 5-0-1. The Blue and Gold clinched the MASCAC regular season crown with the win and secured a first round bye in the upcoming league tournament.
Worcester State captured their seventh league title in team history and fifth outright crown.
The Owls drop to 4-11 overall and 2-4 in conference play with the setback.
Whitson started the scoring early when classmate Brian Cormier (Hudson, MA) sent a beautiful feed from the middle and Whitson was able to beat the goalie as he attempted to make a play on the ball for the 1-0 tally in the 13th minute.
The duo connected again just before the end of the first half as Cormier sent a cross from the middle to Whitson streaking up the right side and he deposited the ball into the net for the 2-0 advantage with 63 ticks remaining in the period.
Whitson completed the natural hat-trick in the 65th minute when was sent a brilliant pass by sophomore Alfred Sogja (Shkoder, Albania) on the left side for the 3-0 lead.
With under five minutes remaining in regulation Westfield State tried to cut into the deficit, but they were unsuccessful and struck the crossbar on back-to-back attempts.
Second-year Nick Tavares (Ludlow, MA) sent a rocket of a shot from 20 yards out that clanged iron in the 86th minute and junior Kyle Duquette (Holyoke, MA) had the same result just 17 seconds later.
Owl senior Dan Brady (Wilbraham, MA) had a great bid to score in the 88th minute as he tried to pick the right corner from point blank range, but was stonewalled by sophomore keeper Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA) to preserve the margin.
The Lancers grabbed an insurance goal just a few ticks later when senior Alex Wolfel (Unionville, CT) ran up the right side off a fantastic touch and go with sophomore Alex Goncalves (Ludlow, MA) for the 4-0 score.
Westfield State managed to end the shutout bid with a late goal by Brady off a shot that was redirected off a Worcester State defender with just 20 seconds remaining for the 4-1 final.
Zucco was solid in net all night for the hosts as he registered three saves in the triumph as Owl senior net-minder Kris Carrington (Agawam, MA) also recorded three stops in the defeat.
Worcester State outshot their opponents 18-14 while Westfield State held the slim, 2-1, edge in corner kicks.
Both teams return to action on Tuesday night with non-conference affairs as the Lancers remain at home to face-off with UMass Dartmouth at 7 PM and the Owls travel to Western Connecticut for a 7 PM contest.
Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant
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