Fitchburg State Runs Past Becker, 4-3

Ventura nets game-winner in 80th minute to lift Falcons to first victory of the season

FITCHBURG, Mass. (September 27, 2011) – The Fitchburg State men's soccer team earned its first victory of the season, defeating Becker College, 4-2 in non-conference action at Elliot Field.

Fitchburg State came out gunning, posting two quick goals in the opening three minutes of the contest. Senior Kevin Mascary (North Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) hit home first for the Falcons, tallying his second goal of the season at the 1:55 mark off a Chris Kleindl (Tokyo, Japan/American School) assist. Classmate Lionso Ventura (Westminster, Mass./Oakmont) gave Fitchburg State a 2-0 cushion just 30 second later as the senior forward cashed in with an unassisted tally for his second goal of the season.

Becker trickled back, knotting the score 2-2 with back-to-back goals by the 15th minute. Sophomore Aldo Karkanjozi (Sterling Heights, Mich./Stevenson) put the Hawks on the board first with his first goal of the year at the 5:45 mark while senior Timothy Howard (Paxton, Mass./Wachusett) netted the equalizer nearly ten minutes later.

The Falcons broke the 2-2 deadlock early in the second half, rifling off a trio of shots in the 51st minute. Mascary led the attack, peppering a pair of shots off Hawk keeper Tim McDonald (Holden, Mass./Wachusett) but Kleindl picked up the second rebound and deposited it for his first collegiate score.

Becker, again, came roaring back, tying the score at 3-3 with a goal off the foot of Howard. Howard was awarded a penalty kick in the 71st minute after being taken down in the box and the veteran striker took advantage of his opportunity, posting his third tally of the season.

With the score knotted at 3-3, Fitchburg State responded in a big way as the duo of Mascary and Ventura struck again. From the far sideline, Mascary hit Ventura with a cross, Ventura settled the ball and blasted a shot to the back of the net for the go-ahead marker.

Fitchburg State held possession for much of the match, totaling a 25-14 advantage in shots and 8-7 margin in corners. Freshman goalkeeper Aidan Hanratty (East Bridgewater, Mass./East Bridgewater) earned his first collegiate victory, totaling six saves in the Falcons complete game effort, while McDonald finished with six stops for the visitors.

Fitchburg State (1-8-0, 0-2-0 MASCAC) will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Westfield State at 6 p.m. Becker (1-6-2, 0-0-0 NECC) will host UMass Boston on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.