Fitchburg State Opens With Victory Over UMass Boston, 3-2

Kelly nets a pair in Falcons season-opening victory

WEYMOUTH, Mass. (August 31, 2013) – The Fitchburg State men's soccer team opened the 2013 season in winning fashion this afternoon as the Falcons downed the Beacons of UMass Boston, 3-2 in the Lasell College Kick-Off Classic.

The Falcons scored a pair of second half goals to comeback from a 2-0 deficit and win their season opener. Senior Kenneth Kelly (Marstons Mills, Mass.) converted twice from the penalty spot in the second half and Carmen Bordonaro (Saugus, Mass.) netted a first half goal on an assist from Brett Smith (North Andover, Mass.) in the victory.

The Beacons' Douglas Silveira (Revere, Mass.) scored a pair of goals in the first half for UMass Boston, while Jerry Phanor (Boston, Mass.) notched an assist in the loss.

UMass Boston jumped out to an early lead when Silveira found the back of the net just 0:45 into the match following a giveaway just outside the top of the 18 yard mark. Silveira tacked on a second goal when he combined with Phanor and slipped behind the Falcons back four for a 2-0 Beacon advantage.

Fitchburg State reclaimed some of the match momentum when a Smith long ball sprung the hard-working Bordonaro who chipped the closing UMB keeper neatly to pull the Falcons back within a goal in the 40th minute.

The second half began much the same way the first ended, with the Beacons creating some chances, but the Falcons maintained their composure and keep themselves in the game. After a chance by Fitchburg State was denied by UMB, the Beacons were whistled for a foul in the box in the 71st minute, earning a penalty which Kelly fired into the lower left corner to knot the score at 2-2.

Both teams were unable to break through until Bordonaro was taken down from behind in the box in the 85th minute earning the Falcons another penalty. Kelly again found the back of the net with his attempt from the spot to give Fitchburg State a 3-2 lead with five minutes remaining in the contest.

In net, junior Aidan Hanratty (E. Bridgewater, Mass.) made four saves to earn the victory for Fitchburg State, while Alfonso Rosales (Revere, Mass.) stopped three shots for UMass-Boston.

Fitchburg State will face Lasell tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. in the tournament's championship match, while UMass-Boston will take on Newbury College in the 12:00 p.m. consolation match.