Springfield Edges Fitchburg State, 1-0

DePaula collects four saves in Falcons non-conference setback

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 31, 2013) – Drew Vanasse (Concord, Mass.) scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute to lift the Springfield College men's soccer team to a 1-0 shutout of Fitchburg State on Wednesday evening.

Springfield had its chances early on and finally struck late in the second half as Danny Amato (Newington, Conn.) took a corner kick in the 86th minute and connected with Vanasse, who came in for the finish with a nice header into the back of the net.

The Pride also threatened a couple minutes earlier in the match as Amato nearly scored with 16 minutes left on the clock, but his attempt on net drilled the crossbar and bounced out of the goal.

Michael Fowler (Maynard, Mass.) had two big opportunities late in the first half, but both times his header just missed. Fowler had another big chance with seven minutes left in the game, but Fitchburg State goalie Rondinelle DePaula (Leominster, Mass.) came up with a diving save, to keep the Falcons deficit to only one.

In net, Billy Schmid (Wethersfield, Conn.) made one save for Springfield to earn the win, while  Zack Richard (Millbury, Mass.) played the second half without being tested. DePaula had four saves in goal for Fitchburg State.

Fitchburg State drops to 6-6-5 with the loss and will be back in action on Saturday as it hosts Worcester State in a pivotal, Sterling Cup match at 10 a.m. Springfield hosts Coast Guard at noon on Saturday to end the season with a key NEWMAC match up.