WORCESTER, Mass. — On a hot steamy Tuesday night, the Worcester State Lancers (1-2-1) played to a 3-1 loss against the Trinity College Bantams (1-0-0) at John F. Coughlin Memorial Field.
Trinity controlled the game from the start, getting five shots off within the first two minutes of play. Worcester State's goalkeeper, Tim Schmidt (Southwick, Mass.), had to make multiple stellar saves within the first few minutes, including an outstanding save 40 seconds in. Minutes later he came up big again with a jumping save after a volley by Bantams midfielder Mark Perreault (Southborough, Mass.).
With the tempo in the Bantams' hands, the 0-0 tie was broken at 16:47 of the first half. Trinity's Tobias Gimand (Fairfield, Conn.) received a pass just outside the box then played a quick through ball to Cody Savonen (Orleans, Mass.), who then buried his shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
The Lancers finally showed some life towards the middle of the first half, as the blue and goal fired off their first shot of the night with 22 minutes left in the half.
Worcester State was finally gaining momentum until the 38th minute when Worcester State's goal keeper and defender had a miscommunication. The keeper came out of his goal to catch the loose ball, but the defender was in the process of heading the ball back to him. The arrant head ball then rolled across the line to make the score 2-0 Bantams.
The second half brought more pressure from Trinity, as they controlled possession and the atmosphere. The Lancers almost broke through with a great opportunity in front of goal as Joshua Evans (Springfield, Mass.) sent in a hard cross which Bryan Brasil (Williamsburg, Mass.) was at the end of. Brasil then tapped it at the goal, but Bantams goalkeeper, Mateo Zabala (Paterson, N.J.) made a quick reaction to hit the ball wide.
At 65:12 Trinity buried another goal, with the great individual effort of Gimand. He intercepted a Lancer pass and then dribbled through the back line and rocketed a shot top right to extend their lead to three.
The Lancers finally got on the board at 75:27 after the Bantams committed a foul about 35 yards out. Evans took advantage the opportunity, as he whipped in a vicious curling free kick that hit side netting and put the Lancers on the board.
Following the Lancer's first goal of the night, the Blue and Gold had one last chance to come closer to tying the game. With two minutes left, Andre Ipojuca (Saugus, Mass.), used his speed to get a break away chance but put the ball just wide of the right post and the game remained 3-1 for the rest of regulation.
The Lancers will look to rebound on Sep. 15 when they travel to Keene State for a 6:00 p.m. match.
Release written by Sports Information Intern, Connor Haynes
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