Worcester State Escapes Men's Soccer In Double Overtime

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's soccer visiting Worcester State University, 00-00, in a non-conference match at Leary Field Wednesday night. The Blazers sit at 2-6 overall, while the Lancers hold a 4-2 record.

The Lancers cracked the scoreboard in the second minute as junior forward Bryan Brasil (Williamsburg, Mass.) played a ball from midfield up the sideline to senior Andre Ipojuca (Saugus, Mass.), who dropped a pass to trailing classmate Etjon Rapi (Worcester, Mass.), who ripped a shot past Elms freshman keeper AJ Oliviera (Beacon Falls, Conn.) to give Worcester State a 1-0 lead. The Lancers maintained a 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.

In the 63^rd minute of play, Rapi worked a give-and-go with freshman Dillon Pooler (Southampton, Mass), who dropped a chip pass back to Rapi at the top of the box, and Rapi laced a shot inside the right post to push Worcester State ahead 2-0.

With 16:35 to play, Elms senior C.J. Dabkowski (Bristol, Conn.) grabbed a loose ball and chipped a cross to the far side of the box, where junior John Dunphy (Farmington, Conn.) battled a defender for the loose ball and tucked a shot past Lancers sophomore keeper Henri Guilmette (Franklin, Mass.) to trim the gap to 2-1. The Blazers had chances to tie it late as a shot from junior Shaquille Robinson (New York, N.Y.) sailed wide in the 82^nd minute.

With five minutes to play, the Blazers drew a foul 30 yards from the goal, resulting in a free kick opportunity. On the ensuing attempt, junior Colby Macdonald (Bristol, Conn.) curled the free kick around the defense and past Guilmette's left side, knotting the score at 2-2. The contest headed to overtime tied at 2-2.

After a scoreless first overtime period, the Lancers found the game-winner in the 108^th minute as senior Matthew Dent (Ludlow, Mass.) headed home a free kick service from Pooler to send Worcester State to the 3-2 victory.

The Lancers edged the Blazers in the shot column, 16-15, while each side posted eight corner kicks. Oliviera made three saves for Elms, and Guilmette stopped four shots for Worcester State.

The Blazers will look to return to the win column when they travel to Wheelock College for a New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) contest Saturday at 4:00 p.m. Worcester State travels to Westfield State for a MASCAC tilt Saturday at Noon.

ELMS SOCCER