Falcons Strike Twice in Second for 3-2 Victory over Pride

FITCHBURG, Mass. - Fitchburg State University scored two goals in the second half to secure a 3-2 victory over Regis College on Wednesday night in a non-conference men's soccer contest at Elliot Field. Junior Jared Burns contributed for the Falcons having a hand in two of his team's three goals.

"We needed to win this game and get back in the win column after losing two in a row", said Coach Thissen after his team's 3-2 win.

Regis shot out of the gates and put early pressure on the Falcon defense, but were unable to convert on scoring opportunities due to consecutive saves by goalkeeper Rondinelle DePaula.

The stalemate was broken 16 minutes into play when a key defensive play by junior midfielder Steven Martinez gave the Falcons a man-advantage downfield, allowing Mauro Gimenez to drill in the opening goal from an assist by Burns that put the Green and Gold up 1-0 in the first half.

Just four minutes later Fitchburg State threatened to increase their lead with an opportunity in front of opposing goalkeeper Manny Santiago, but the netminder smothered the point-blank shot by the hosts and keeping the deficit to one for the Pride.  

Regis evened the contest (1-1) in the 32^nd minute of play when senior forward Mike Panagiotakos found the back of the net from the left-side of the box unassisted.

In the 61^st minute it would be Burns that gave the Flock the one goal lead (2-1) when he rushed into the box and chested in a loose ball for his team-leading fourth goal of the season.

Fitchburg State pulled away in the 73^rd minute of the bout when Alex Calder scored his second of the season on a penalty shot, sending the rock home and giving the Falcons a commanding 3-1 lead.

Regis College converted on their own penalty shot shortening the Falcon lead (3-2) with five minutes remaining in the game.

The Fitchburg State defensive finished the final minutes by holding trough despite playing a man-down and maintained their one goal lead en route to their third victory of the season.

The Falcons have defeated the Pride in each of the last two meetings and increased their all-time record against Regis College, 3-1-0.

Fitchburg State outshot the opponents 20 to 10 in the contest, with Regis leading the game with eight saves to the Falcons four. Junior goalkeeper Depaula, in his 2015 season debut, made four saves, allowing two goals, while picking up the victory.

The Green and Gold, now 3-4-0 on the season, are off until the weekend when they travel to Westfield to take on the Owls in a MASCAC game on Saturday September 26^th.  Regis College (4-3-1) will host Lesley College on the same day for a NECC bout between the two teams.

COURTESY IN PART TO STUDENT JOURNALIST KYLE PRUDHOMME