Fitchburg State Tops Western Connecticut, 4-2

Tyler leads Falcons offensive attack in season-opener win

 DANBURY, Conn. (August 30, 2008) - The Fitchburg State men's soccer team opened its 2008 campaign with a 4-2 victory over Western Connecticut State University in a non-conference matchup at Westside Athletic Complex this afternoon.

Senior captain David Tyler (Hubbardston, Mass./Quabbin) led the Fitchburg State attack with five points on two goals and one assist. Sophomores Lionso Ventura (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) and Joseph Daigle (Holyoke, Mass./Holyoke) added one goal apiece, while classmate Robbie Pancini (Stoneham, Mass./Stoneham) chipped in with one assist.

Senior Robert Madden (Hamden, Conn./Hamden) and classmate Michael Savenelli (East Haven, Conn./East Haven) lead the Western Connecticut charge with one goal apiece, while senior Dan Michalowski (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) and freshman Ryan Rose (Bethel, Conn./Bethel) added one helper apiece.

Western Connecticut jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the seventh minute of the match as Madden netted his third career goal on assists from Rose and Michalowski. Fitchburg tied the score at 1-1 as Ventura recorded his first goal of the season at the 26:43 mark.

In the second half, Fitchburg State struck first with an early goal by Tyler just 3:08 into the frame. The Falcons increased their lead to 3-1 just ten minutes later as Tyler connected for his second goal of the match off a Robbie Pancini assist. Western Connecticut cut the Fitchburg State lead to 3-2 as Michael Savenelli tallied his first goal of the season, but the Falcons added an insurance goal from Joseph Daigle with less than three minutes to play to secure the victory.

Fitchburg State out-shot Western Connecticut 22-17 on the afternoon. Junior goalkeeper Matt Carey (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell) stopped five shots in net for the Falcons, while Michalowski totaled eight saves for the Colonials.

Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 MASCAC) is back in action on Wednesday as it hosts UMass Boston at 7 p.m. Western Connecticut (0-1)  travels to Albertus Magnus College for another non-league match on Tuesday at 4 p.m.

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Fitchburg State 4, Western Connecticut 2

Scoring:
First Half - WC: Robert Madden, 6:54 (Ryan Rose, Dan Michalowski); FSC: Lionso Ventura (26:43)
Second Half:  FSC: David Tyler, 48:07; FSC: Tyler, 58:05 (Robbie Pancini); WC: Michael Savenelli (64:28), FSC: Joseph Daigle, 87:34 (Tyler)
Goaltending: FSC: Matt Carey (90:00), five saves; WC: Dan Michalowski (90:00), eight saves
Shots on Goal: FSC: 12; WC: 7