Fitchburg State and Worcester State Tie, 1-1

Ventura and Carey boost Falcons in MASCAC opening action

WORCESTER, Mass. (September 19, 2009) - Junior Lionso Ventura (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) netted his second goal of the week as Fitchburg State battled to a 1-1 draw with Worcester State in MASCAC opening action this afternoon.

Trailing 1-0 in the 90th minute of the match, Fitchburg State came back in dramatic fashion as Ventura netted the equalizer with 0:35 remaining in regulation. The junior All-Conference honoree connected for his third goal of the season as senior Pat Higgins (Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) set up the game-tying drive with his first assist of the year.

Worcester State gained an early 1-0 lead in the first half as sophomore Andrew Babineau (Webster, Mass./Bartlett) collected his first goal of the season on an unassisted marker in the 22nd minute. Fitchburg State wasn't fazed, controlling the first half tempo with 12 shots in the frame.

Neither team was able to muster the game-winner in extra time as Fitchburg senior Matt Carey (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell) and Worcester State netminder Evan Wilga (Dudley, Mass./Shepherd Hill) denied all attempts on goal. Carey registered ten stops in his, 110 minute complete game-effort for the Falcons, while Wilga notched a game-high 15 saves for the Lancers.

Fitchburg State received solid offensive efforts from freshman Richie Harvey (Freehold, N.J./Freehold) who pressured the Lancer defense with a team-high four shots on net. Sophomore Danny Bolam (Fletcher, Vt./BFA Airfax) was also strong on the Fitchburg State attack, transitioning the Falcons from the midfield with three on target shots.

Fitchburg State  (1-3-2, 0-0-1 MASCAC) will be in action again on Wednesday as it travels to Clark University at 6:30 p.m. Worcester State (1-5-1, 0-0-1 MASCAC) will travel to Keene State on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR BOX SCORE & PLAY-BY-PLAY

Fitchburg State 1, Worcester State 1 (2OT)

Scoring:
First Half: WSC: Andrew Babineau, 21:23;  
Second Half: FIT: Lionso Ventura (Pat Higgins), 89:25;
Goaltending: Matt Carey (110:00), ten saves; WSC: Evan Wilga (110:00), 15 saves
Shots: FIT: 28; WSC: 20