Fitchburg State Falls Shorts Against Westfield State, 3-2

Kleindl nets a pair to lead Falcons offense in MASCAC thriller

FITCHBURG, Mass. (October 1, 2011) – Senior Kyle Yelin (Southwick, Mass./Southwick-Tolland) registered a pair of goals to lead the Westfield State men's soccer team to a 3-2 MASCAC victory over Fitchburg State University this evening at Elliot Field.

Yelin sparked the Owls offense, touching for goals in each half for an early 2-1 lead. Yelin put Westfield state on the board in the 25th minute, taking a far cross from Justin Laliberte (Easthampton, Mass./Easthampton) and heading it up and over Falcon keeper Aidan Hanratty (E. Bridgewater, Mass./E. Bridgewater) for a 1-0 advantage.

Fitchburg State netted the equalizer near the end of the first half as sophomore Chris Kleindl (Tokyo, Japan/American School) connected on a low-lining strike from 20 yards out. Senior Danny Bolam (Fletcher, Vt./BFA Airfax) found Kleindl in the center of the field and sophomore striker hit home for his second goal of the season.

In the second frame, Westfield struck first off the foot of Yelin, who took a direct kick and deposited into the top right corner of the net. Sophomore Dave Anderson (Springfield, Mass./Sabis International) also recorded a goal for the Owls as a Bill Lund (Monson, Mass./Monson) dump pass found the second-year forward with a wide open shot on net for a 3-1 advantage.

Fitchburg State swung the momentum in its favor down the stretch as Kleindl connected for his second score of the game in the 76th  minute. Kleindl converted a header off junior Jason Pereira's (Wilmington, Mass./Wilmington) corner kick, bringing the Falcons within one at 3-2.

The Falcons rifled off several more attempts in the closing minutes, coming within inches of tying the score, but senior goalkeeper Jeff Pepoli's (Ashburnham, Mass./Cushing Academy) two second half saves proved to be key in the Owls victory. Hanratty finished with six saves for the Falcons as Westfield State held a 16-7 advantage in attempts and 5-2 margin in corners.

Fitchburg State (1-9-0, 0-3-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it hosts Daniel Webster College at 7 p.m. Westfield State (7-2-1, 2-0-1 MASCAC) will travel to Trinity College at 4 p.m.