Falcons Edged By Lancers, 3-1

Buckland registers lone tally for Fitchburg State in conference setback

Worcester, Mass. – The Fitchburg State men's soccer dropped a 3-1 decision to the Lancers of Worcester State University this afternoon in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action from Coughlin Field.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 1, Worcester State 3
Records: Fitchburg State (5-6-2), 2-1-1 MASCAC | Worcester State (5-8, 1-3 MASCAC)

How It Happened

Neither team was able to break the ice in the opening half, despite the Lancers carrying the play. Worcester State outshot Fitchburg 11-3 and held a 4-1 advantage on the corner count, but the teams went to the locker rooms scoreless.

Fitchburg State scored the game's first goal in the 54th minute, as senior Zachary Buckland (Billerica, Mass.) buried one from in close off a rebound to put his Falcons up 1-0.

Fifteen minutes later, in the 69th minute, Worcester State found the equalizer as senior Ethan Melia (Shrewsbury, Mass.) scored on a penalty kick, leveling the score at 1-1. 

Just over five minutes later, Melia would put the Lancers in front for the first time on the afternoon, and he headed a Joe Donnelly (Dracut, Mass.) feed in the 74th minute. 

Worcester State capped the scoring in the 77th minutes when junior Liren Halle (Arlington, Texas) added an insurance marker off a free kick, resulting in the 3-1 final.

Inside the Numbers

• This afternoon's contest marked the 42nd meeting the two squads with the Falcons 15-25-2 all-time when taking on the Lancers
• Worcester State held a 28-11 margin in shots, while also finishing with a 7-1 edge in corner kicks
• Junior Branton Abbett (Jasper, Ind.) turned aside 11 shots for the Falcons in the setback
• Senior Henri Giulmette (Franklin, Mass.) made six saves for the Lancers in the victory

Up Next

Falcons will travel to Plymouth State on Tuesday to take on the Panthers for a non-conference tilt, starting at 3:00 PM. Lancers will visit MIT on Wednesday for a non-conference matchup at 7:00 PM.

Portions of release courtesy of Worcester State SID office