Fitchburg State Nipped By Clark, 3-2 (OT)

Krikorian collects pair of markers for Falcons in non-conference setback 

WORCESTER, Mass. – Sean Munroe headed home the golden goal less than three minutes into the first overtime sending host Clark University to a 3-2 win over Worcester-area rival Fitchburg State in non-league men's soccer action on a chilly Wednesday evening.

The Falcons actually got on the board first in the tenth minute when Steven Martinez sent a ball through the Clark backline and connected with Matthew Krikorian who maneuvered around a defender and sent a low shot past a diving Alistair Richardson.

Clark evened the score at 1-1 a little more than five minutes later when excellent passing from Munroe and Evan Jurkowski setup T.J. Zirkman for his team-leading fifth tally of the season at 16:03.

The Cougars went ahead later in the first half as Jack Stark got control of a ball near the midfield stripe on the right side and sent a ball to Munroe near the top of the box before heading the ball home into a wide open net at 31:40.

Undeterred, Fitchburg State knotted the score at 2-2 early in the second half when Camden McLaughlin slipped a pass from the end line to an uncovered Krikorian at the top right corner of the box who sent a shot that Richardson was unable to control for his second score of the night at 50:01.

Things stayed that way until the opening moments of the first extra session as Charlie Lane settled the ball near the end line on the right side and lofted a pass towards the middle of the box. Munroe split a pair of defenders and bang home the game-winning marker into the back of the net at 92:47.

Munroe finished with a career-high five points on two goals and one assist, giving him a team-leading 14 points so far this season (five goals, four assists), while Krikorian potted both scores for the Falcons.

Throughout the contest, Clark held a 19-10 advantage in shots, while also holding a 9-3 edge in corner kicks. In net, junior Connor Smith turned aside seven shots for the Falcons in the complete game effort, while Richardson made two saves for the Cougars in 92:47 minutes of action.  

Clark (11-2, 2-2 NEWMAC) returns to action on Saturday when they host MIT in a crucial NEWMAC contest, while Fitchburg State (2-9-1, 0-4-0 MASCAC) will visit Bridgewater State on Friday night for MASCAC tilt, starting at 7 p.m.

Release courtesy of Clark SID office