Men’s Soccer Battles Gordon to 1-1 Double Overtime Draw in Season Opener
Framingham, Mass. – The Framingham State University men's soccer team used a goal late in regulation to salvage a 1-1 double overtime draw with Gordon College this afternoon in non-conference action at Maple Street Field. The match was the season and home opener for the Rams who are now 0-0-1 on the year, while the Fighting Scots are now 0-1-1 after dropping their season opener on Thursday.
After a scoreless first half, Gordon College scored the game's first goal in the 63rd minute to take a 1-0 lead. Junior midfielder Kellen Kasiguran (Oakwood Village, Ohio) sent a direct kick into the box that senior Noah McGarr (Westport, Mass.) was able to redirect into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.
Gordon's lead would stand at 1-0 until late in the game when the Rams had several opportunities to tie the game. With just over five minutes remaining, senior Peter Maranto (Haverhill, Mass.) launched a shot off a corner that sailed just over the cross bar and just two minutes later on another Ram corner junior Will Menter's (Haverhill, Mass.) header hit the cross bar and deflected away from the net.
The Rams were finally able to capitalize with 1:08 remaining in the game as senior Steve Lesiczka (Haverhill, Mass.) sent a long cross into the box from the left sideline that sophomore Ronaldo Vieira (Framingham, Mass.) dove and headed into the back of the net for the game tying goal.
In the first overtime the Rams had two chances to score the game winning goal, but Maranto's shot off a corner with three minutes remaining sailed just wide of the net and freshman Cory Cardeiro's (Westport, Mass.) attempt with 1:36 remaining also was off target forcing the game into a second overtime.
In the second overtime, Gordon had a chance for the win as the Fighting Scots sent a shot in off a corner that got behind the Rams keeper, but junior Bryan Damas (Milford, Mass.) was on the post and knocked the shot away before it crossed the goal line to preserve the tie.
Junior Sam Yoder (Southbridge, Mass.) and freshman Billy Levitsky (Westford, Mass.) split time in net for the Rams with Yoder making four saves and Levitsky two, while senior Alex Sosler (Cleveland, Ohio) went the distance for the Fighting Scots surrendering one goal and making four saves.
The Rams return to action on Wednesday as they travel to MIT at 4 p.m., while the Fighting Scots square off with Bridgewater State also on Wednesday at 4 p.m.