Comeback Bid Thwarted as Lancers Fall to Johnson & Wales

Worcester, MA- Worcester State's Men's Soccer team is back on the field this afternoon in their bid to grab their first win of the season after a nailbiter match last Saturday versus WPI. The team this time is looking to go out of state to Providence to challenge Johnson and Wales in the early season matchup.

Final

Worcester State: 1

Johnson & Wales: 3

How it Happened:

In a quick start for the Lancers, they learned from their earlier missed opportunities this weekend, to jump out to an early 1-0 lead just over 10 minutes into the game. Senior Mal Hawkins (View Park, CA) would use his chest to bring down a perfectly placed pass from Junior Wilbur Garcia (Bilbao, Spain) before swinging around to send the shot flying over the head of the Wildcats keeper. A penalty kick served against Worcester in the 24th minute would set the score back to a goal a piece as each team spent the remainder of the opening 45 looking for opportunities to distance themselves.

Johnson and Wales almost snagged the lead into halftime off a free kick into the box but a tight snag by first year PJ Schmidt (Westwood, NJ) would end the threat and with a few more attempt from either side the half would end as it began, each team tied up, this time at 1-1.

The Wildcats would carry the 9-3 shot advantage in the game, but the Lancer defense was shutting down all the action in the half.

Just a minute into the new half, the Wildcats would cross the ball into the box and connect with a forwards foot to tick the ball over Schmidt to take an early 2-1 lead. The Lancers would not drop their persistence though, battling for scoring opportunities across the pitch. While their energy was high and forceful, a scrum back in the middle of their defensive box would again see Johnson & Wales connect at the top of the box for goal number three. The Lancers spent the next 30 minutes attempting numerous different avenues of attack on Johnson & Wales, out shooting them 8-3 in the half, but while the shots were flying towards the goal, the defensive pressure was stifling each attempt and thwarting the comeback bid for the Lancers. As the final horn sounded the Lancers would be on the 3-1 losing end of a high intensity and forceful non-conference match, as Worester vies for their first win of the season.

Schmidt would end the day with six saves for Worcester while junior Benji Bonsu (Pittsfield, MA) would lead the team with three shot attempts, two on frame.

What's Next:

The Blue and Gold (0-2, 0-0) will continue their travel New England tour on Saturday when they journey down to the Coast Guard Academy at 12pm.