Buccaneers Deny Fitchburg State, 3-1

BUZZARDS BAY, Mass. - Massachusetts Maritime defeated Fitchburg State University, 3-1, in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) men's soccer match Friday evening at Clean Harbors Stadium.

Nick Parker gave the host Buccaneers, who are off to their first 2-0 MASCAC start in 15 years while standing at 5-3 overall, the early advantage when he deflected an attempted clearing pass and converted the turnover into his fifth goal of the season just 1:27 into the contest, and Massachusetts Maritime extended that margin to 2-0 in the 29^th minute on an own goal that came off a deflected corner kick. 

Senior Simon Vikoler sliced the visiting Falcons' (4-4, 1-1 MASCAC) deficit in half just 1:08 later when he headed in a corner kick from sophomore Jared Burns for his fourth tally of the fall. Thomas McCarthy however provided an insurance marker for the hosts in the 60^th minute of action, as he headed in an indirect kick off the foot of sophomore Matthew McDonough for his third goal of the season that closed out the scoring.

Sophomore Joe Cohen picked up his fifth win of the season with a seven-save effort, while Fitchburg State senior Aidan Hanratty made three stops in the setback for the visitors.  Each team had 11 shots for the evening, with the Falcons having an 8-6 edge in shots on goal and a 10-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Massachusetts Maritime heads to Newport, R.I. on Wednesday afternoon to take on Salve Regina in a non-league outing that begins at 3:30 p.m., while Fitchburg State hosts Nichols in a non-league match on Wednesday evening in Fitchburg, Mass. beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Kurtis Michael Media