Chretien Strikes Twice As Owls De-Claw Fitchburg, 4-1

The Owls celebrate Nicole Chretien's goal early in the first half
The Owls celebrate Nicole Chretien's goal early in the first half

WESTFIELD, Mass.  – Senior captain Nicole Chretien (North Attleboro, Mass.) scored two goals for the Owls as Westfield State defeated Fitchburg State 4-1 in MASCAC action Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field.

The Owls would get off to a fast start with a strike from Chretien to make it 1-0 Westfield in the second minute of play.

Westfield State would make it 2-0 when freshman Jenn Rennich (Bedford, Mass.) would send a high-arching corner kick right to the head of senior Casey Rotti (Rutland, Mass. / Wachusett) who finished it off for the tally.

The Falcons struck back later in the first half when Micalea Goldenberg (Douglas, Mass.) lobbed a ball into the box, and after a few bounces, freshman Elicia Marshall (Taunton, Mass.) booted it past the Westfield State keeper to cut the lead to 2-1.

But the Owls would answer with a goal from Rennich thanks to a beautiful through-ball from freshman Libby White (Belchertown, Mass.) to put the Owls back up by two just before the end of the half.

Westfield State dominated most of the play in the first half, outshooting Fitchburg 11-2.

The Falcons came out strong in the second half, but their efforts would be denied by Westfield State keeper Natalia Falcone (Sutton, Mass.) to keep the score at 3-1.

Westfield State would tack on the final goal of the afternoon when Chretien received another nice through-ball from Jenn Rennich and put her shot just beyond the dive of the Fitchburg goalkeeper to make it 4-1 Owls.

The Owls outshot the Falcons 19-8 in the contest. Falcone had five saves for the Owls, while sophomore Sarah Hemmings (Eastham, Mass.) finished with six for Fitchburg.

With the win, Westfield improves to 7-5-2 (4-1-1 in the MASCAC) and Fitchburg drops to 3-9-1 (2-4-0 in the MASCAC).

Westfield State pays homage to their seniors on Tuesday night as they host Umass. Dartmouth at 7:00 p.m. at Alumni Field for the Owls senior night.

Fitchburg State resumes play at home against Rhode Island College on Wednesday beginning at 4:00 p.m.