Falcons Nip Lions, 2-1

Javaloyes propels Fitchburg State to non-conference victory 

Fitchburg, Mass. – The Fitchburg State University men's soccer team defeated the Lions of Eastern Nazarene College, 2-1 this afternoon in non-conference action at Elliot Field as freshman John Javaloyes (Newton, Mass./Newton South) picked up the game-winner for the Falcons with just under two minute left in regulation.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 2, Eastern Nazarene 1

Records: Fitchburg State (4-1-0) | Eastern Nazarene (0-6)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State opened the scoring just 1:42 into the contest as freshman Clayton Mendes-Rodrigues (Brockton, Mass./Quincy) connected on his first collegiate tally for the 1-0 advantage before Eastern Nazarene quickly knotted the score (1-1) roughly 40 seconds later when sophomore Jose Ruiz (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain/Los Marinistas) received a feed from junior Sunil Lepcha (Charlotte, N.C./Independence) and deposited the ball into the lower left corner for his first goal of the year.

In the second half, the Falcons broke the 1-1 stalemate in the 89th minute of play Javaloyes gathered a feed from junior Larry Janvier (Milton, Mass./Milton), who tucked the ball into the back of the net for his first collegiate marker, resulting in the 2-1 final.

Inside the Numbers

This afternoon's contest will mark the fifth meeting between the two teams on the pitch with the Falcons 2-3-0 all-time when taking on the Lions.

First meeting between the Falcons and Lions since September 21, 1999 with Eastern Nazarene coming away with a 4-3 victory at the Veterans' Memorial Field.

Sophomore Anson Thibault (Durham, N.H./Oyster River) finished the contest with a team-best two shots on target for Eastern Nazarene.

In goal, sophomore Sebastian Jaramillo (Dracut, Mass./Dracut)) stopped four shots for the Falcons to earn his first win on the season, while freshman Florian Resch (St. Stefan, Austria/HBTLA Kaindorf) made two saves for the Lions in the complete game effort

Up Next

Falcons will host the Lancers of Worcester State on Saturday for MASCAC matchup, starting at 12:00 PM. Lions will visit Mitchell College on the same day for an NECC tilt, beginning at 12:00 PM.