Lancers Edged by Rams in MASCAC Affair

Framingham, Mass. – The visiting Worcester State men's soccer team fell 1-0 to Framingham State in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play Saturday morning at Maple Street Field.

After an uneventful first half the Rams broke through in the 47th minute when Jared Nardizzi (Framingham, Mass.) sent in a corner that was finished off by Jeffson Malachie (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) for the 1-0 lead. 

The Rams had another good chance a few minutes later when Gabe Padilla (Framingham, Mass.) sent wide in front of an open net. 

With just over twenty minutes to go, Worcester's Ethan Escobar (Paxton, Mass.) looked to have a good chance to beat the Rams keeper but couldn't get his shot through traffic. The Lancers had another great look with just under ten to play when a Rams foul set up a long strike into the box for the Lancers. The loose ball was tipped towards the net but Rams goalkeeper James Hartshorn (Chelmsford, Mass.) made a nice sliding grab to secure the threat.  

In the 84th minute a loose ball in the Rams offensive zone was illegally played by the Lancers setting up an Ibrahim Kyeyune (Kampala, Uganda) penalty kick which was stopped by a great diving rejection by Andy Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.) and cleared out of danger. 

Andy Ramirez (Waltham, Mass.) made ten saves in the setback for the Lancers, while Hartshorn made one save in the win for Framingham.  

The Rams led the contest in shots 17-to-5 in the game including a 13-to-4 margin in the second half. 

Prior to the contest the Rams honored their two athletes playing in their final season: Giovanni Green (Montego Bay, Jamaica) and Bradley Dustin (Shrewsbury, Mass.).  

Worcester State next plays a non-league road game on Wednesday when they travel to Keene State for a 7 pm kickoff.

The Rams return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Wheaton for non-conference action starting a 3:30pm.