Worcester, MA- With a new intensity in their foot after the 1-0 victory over the Trailblazers last week, Worcester State Men's Soccer (3-7-1, 2-1-1) is back and planned from their hiatus to match up with Framingham State and add another win to their column. While most of their success has been found on the road this season, the Lancers are primed to add their first home win of the season to the record books. Today's game is also played in partnership with the Rosen Cancer Awareness Fund as this year's Pink Out Game, which aims to help raise awareness for research, testing and symptoms. Donations are actively being collected to support the campaign.
Final
Worcester State: 0
Framingham State: 1
How it Happened:
The first half kicked off with Framingham starting in possession of the ball as they looked to score early in the contest but the first action of the game was largely uneventful as the Lancers battled back against the Ram's attack. The opening 45 minutes was a scrappy affair as both teams battled for control and opportunities with both teams playing into their physicality to edge out their competition and get the first score of the contest. This physical play would lead to a number of free kick chances but none of these opportunities resulted in a solid contact on frame as the game moved into the half tied at 0-0 and each team equally motivated and frustrated by the first half action.
The second half started with high energy from both teams as they settled into the pace of the game. The Lancers took up a more offensive tactic from the first half which would not only increase the amount of shots taken, but the quality of those shots. Worcester began to pepper the Rams keeper with shot after shot attempt but Framingham was in all the right places, blocking up the attempts and forcing Worcester back out of the box. This style while allowing for many opportunities for Worcester also left their defense more open, something the Rams capitalized on in the waning minutes to find the first score of the contest when the Ram's John Holt took advantage of the spacing to tuck the ball into the net. This would put the Lancers under pressure and in need of a score as time dwindled in the last half of play and while Worcester would give it all they had, the Rams defense was just too much to overcome seeing the final score fall 1-0 in the Rams favor.
Torrado would end the day with five saves while sophomore Nick Guidi (Wilbraham, MA) would lead the Lancers with three shots on frame.
What's Next:
The Blue and Gold (3-8-1, 2-2-1) have a quick gap for rest before they welcome Little East contender UMass-Boston to Coughlin for a Wednesday night, 7pm, non conference battle.