Worcester, MA- In the final home game of the regular season, the Worcester State Men's Soccer team (4-9-2, 2-2-2) are looking for a last conference win to give them a shot at potentially returning home on Wednesday to host a MASCAC quarterfinal matchup. For Worcester though, it is not just the last game of the regular season but a chance to honor their senior class and all their contributions to the program. This year's class includes #6 Declan Ryder (Worcester, MA), #16 Nate Lewos (Auburn, MA) and #24 Mal Hawkins (View Park, CA) with special recognition to 323 Waseem mahmoud (Northborough, MA) and # 10 Manny Ramirez (Waltham, MA).
Final
Worcester State: 3
Mass. Maritime: 3
How it Happened:
The first half would have Worcester coming out strong but Mass. Maritime was more then prepared to match their energy. Hawkins, enjoying his senior day, made his way down the left side of the field and took a shot that would bang the top bar and take a perfect bounce to find its way into the net with 33:51 left in the first half giving Worcester a 1-0 lead. The momentum for Worcester continued as sophomore Dylan Verby (South Setauket, RI) scored a goal assisted by junior Wilber Garcia (Bilbao, Spain) extending Worcester's lead 2-0. With some back and forth and great offensive plays from both teams Mass. Maritime finally broke through, when Thomas O'Neil, after his initial header hit the crossbar, would receive the pass Brody Calvert's foot where his attempt landed, to make it 2-1. Worcester though, was not done yet, within seconds, they responded with a swift goal by Halkins assisted by Verby to put the score 3-1 at the end of the first half.
The second half started off hot as both teams were determined to take home this win. Mass Maritime released a great one on one attack to attempt to put another point on the board but was quickly saved by Worcester's goalkeeper, first year Sergio Torrando (Arroyomolinos, ES) in double save fashion . After chaos in the box and multiple attempts Mass Maritime, Ryan Soughou, finds a way to put the ball in the back of the net making the score 3-2. With 2:20 left in the final half Mass Maritime finds themself with another scoring opportunity and after multiple attempts, Brody Calvert, successfully ties up the game. Making the final score 3-3.
Torrado would have a far reaching day in the cage today, diving and making multiple shot attempt saves to end the afternoon with 8 in the tie.
What's Next:
Worcester State (4-9-3, 2-2-3) now awaits the culmination of the rest of today's games to find out their final seeding and opponent for the MASCAC tournament.