Fitchburg State Edged by Owls, 5-3

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Fitchburg State University was unable to hold on to an early lead, falling to Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) foe Westfield State, 5-3, in men's soccer action on Saturday at Alumni Field. 
 
Fitchburg jumped out to their only lead of the game in the 27^th minute with the first of Jared Burns' two goals. Mauro Gimenez drew Owls' keeper Alex Kraver out of goal and into space before setting up Burns for the 1-0 advantage.
 
Brodie Keene answered five minutes later when he blocked a failed clearance attempt before gathering the ball in space and beating the keeper one-on-one to even the game at 1-1.  
 
The Owls would score two more goals, both set up by Connor Gilbert, over the next eight minutes to stake a 3-1 advantage going into half. In the 37^th minute, Gilbert fed a long cross from the far left side of the field connecting with Legend Mu'min for his second goal on the year.
 
In the 39^th minute, a streaking Gilbert forced a Falcon penalty 15 yards outside the box. Cam Ritter drove the free kick into the bottom right of the goal finishing the half's scoring.
 
Gilbert extended the Owl lead to 4-1 in the 68^th minute via a Kevin Bengle assist.
 
The Falcons pulled within two immediately following the Gilbert goal. Franck Wansi forced a diving Kramer save but Zachary Young was able to gather the ball and take advantage of the unmanned net.
 
Keene bookended the Owls' scoring by picking up his second goal in the 79^th minute when James Murphy sprung him free on a through ball played past the Falcons back line just outside the penalty box.
 
Kramer had six saves to help the Owls improve to 2-5-1 overall, 2-0 in conference, while the Falcons slip to 3-5 and 0-2. 
 
Both teams return to action on Wednesday, Sept. 30, as Fitchburg State heads to Nichols at 4:00 pm, while Westfield travels to Milton, Mass. to face Curry College at 7:00 pm.

COURTESY OF WESTFIELD STATE SID OFFICE