Men's Soccer Beats Worcester State in Overtime to Advance to MASCAC Semifinal

Framingham, Mass. – The fourth seeded Framingham State men's soccer team scored two long range goals in overtime to defeat the #5 seed Worcester State in the first round of the 2023 MASCAC Tournament by a score of 3-1 Tuesday evening at Maple Street Field. The Rams advance to the MASCAC semifinal on Friday at top-seeded Bridgewater State.

THE BASICS:

- Score:  Framingham State 3, Worcester State 1 (OT)

- Records:  #4 Framingham State (11-7-1), #5 Worcester State (5-8-4)

- Location:  Maple Street Field – Framingham, Mass.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Lancers had a great look in the 15th minute when Luke Anu's shot was saved by a diving save from Joseph Sturzo.
• A few moments later the Lancers got on the board when Wilber Garcia sent in a corner that deflected off a Rams defender and into the net.
• The Rams knotted up the score when Jeffson Malachie finished off a great setup from Gustav Hemmingsen to send the teams to the break tied at one.
• The Lancers had a good look in the 58th minute when the Lancers had a shot blocked after a corner kick and the rebound went right to the foot of the Worcester player but his shot went high.
• After a near miss on a freekick for the Rams with just over ten minutes to play the Lancers had a great look in transition but again Sturzo made a nice save to keep the game tied up. A few minutes later Worcester had yet another great chance but a Sturzo save and shot off the crossbar kept the Lancers off the board.
• With just over three minutes to go Andy Ramirez made a great save for the visitors on a deflection off a free kick to keep the Rams off the board.
• The Rams finally broke through in the 93rd minute when Hemmingsen sent a strike from about 30 yards out that snuck under the crossbar to give the Rams the overtime lead.
• A few moments later Kunphel Sinha sent in a strike from midfield that floated over the Lancer goalie who was playing forward in the defensive half to push the attack.
• The Lancers had a few good looks early in the second overtime but Sturzo kept them off the board as the Rams secured the victory
• Rams goalkeeper Joseph Sturzo made eight saves including a couple diving and sliding stops to keep the Rams in it.
• Worcester goalie Andy Raminez made two saves on the night for the Lancers.
• The Lancers controlled the offensive pace outshooting the Rams 25-to-11 in the contest and a 14-to-3 clip in the second frame but could not find that crucial score.