#10 WPI Sneaks Past Fitchburg State, 2-1

Luna nets lone Falcon goal in tough setback to Engineers

FITCHBURG, Mass. (September 19, 2012) – The Fitchburg State men's soccer team battled the Engineers of WPI this evening, falling 2-1 in non-conference action at Elliot Field.

WPI, recently ranked tenth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), dominated the first half of play, maintaining possession for much of the frame and posting an 11-3 advantage in shots. Despite the time of possession margin for WPI, Fitchburg State carried a 1-1 tie into the locker room. The Engineers got on the board first with Chris Ciampa's (Danvers, Mass./Danvers) fifth goal of the season, but the Falcons knotted the score in the 42nd minute as Stephen Luna (Durham, N.H./Oyster River) connected for his second marker of the year with a feed from Carmen Bordonaro (Saugus, Mass./Saugus).

In the second half, the tempo of the contest increased with both teams combining for 20 shots throughout the stanza. WPI regained its lead in the 69th minute of the match as freshman Christopher Murray (Canton, Mass./Canton) registered for the eventual game-winning marker with an assist from Jason Hopkins (Mendon, Mass./Nipmuc Regional).

Down the stretch, the Falcons created ample opportunities to knot the score, including Bordonaro's on-target attempt in the 81st minute and freshman Joshua Hofer's (Manchester, N.H./Manchester) shot-on-goal in the 88th minute. But, the Engineer defense stood strong however as sophomore Michael DeMarco (State Island, N.Y./Monsignor Farrell) picked up his first collegiate victory with five, second-half saves.

For the contest, WPI out-shot Fitchburg State, 24-10, while posting an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks. Senior Evan DeAmicis (Townsend, Mass./North Middlesex) went the distance for the Falcons in net, totaling nine save on the evening, while DeMarco stopped five shots in 30 minutes of work.

Fitchburg State (1-5-1, 0-1-0 MASCAC) returns to action on Saturday as it visits Westfield State University at 12 p.m. WPI (6-0-0, 1-0-0 NEWMAC) will be in action on Saturday as it visits Coast Guard Academy at 1 p.m.