Fitchburg State Nets Two in the Second to Defeat Rams, 2-0

FITCHBURG, Mass. – Fitchburg State University defeated Framingham State University, 2-0 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's soccer contest Saturday evening. With the victory the Falcons improve to 6-8 (2-3 MASCAC), while the Rams fall to 4-8-2 (2-2-1 MASCAC).

Senior defensemen Brett Smith and junior midfielder Josh Hofer both found the back of the net for the first time in their collegiate careers in the winning effort for the Green & Gold. 

Neither team was able to cut the 0-0 dead lock in the opening half, with just a combined three shots on net over the 45 minute span. Fitchburg State's best opportunity of the first stanza came at the 25:17 mark, when freshman Kevin Aldrovandi was unable to capitalize on the penalty shot attempt as the Rams net minder Jacob Nichols came up with the stop. 

At the 61^st minute in the second half Hofer got a cross in the box from senior Simon Vikoler, then proceed to trap the ball, get in a quick touch and fired it on net to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. 

Nearly ten minutes later Framingham State threatened with four corner kicks within a minute span, but the Falcons defense held strong to preserve the lead. 

Smith doubled the hosts advantage to 2-0 on a rebound from a Vikoler at 81:84 to put the game out of reach.

Overall, Fitchburg State held a 10-11 edge in shots, while Framingham State had the 9-4 advantage in corner kicks. 

Senior keeper Aidan Hanratty made three saves in his fourth clean sheet of the year, while his counterpart Nichols had four saves in the loss for the Rams. 

The victory snapped the Falcons four game losing streak , with all of those losses coming by just one goal. 

Fitchburg State will host WPI in a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 4:00pm, while Framingham State will face off with MIT on the same day at 3:00pm. 

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