Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State men's soccer team fell to Pine Manor, 3-1, in a non- conference match on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Alumni Field.
Henry Garcia (Burleson, Texas/ Burleson) was the story of the game for the Gators, scoring the first and third goals along with assisting on the game winner.
Garcia scored the opener in the 13th minute when a through pass from Andree Hernandez- Garcia (San Antonio, Texas/ Tom C. Clark) sprung him on a one-on-one with the Owls' keeper.
The Owls responded seven minutes later to equalize on a Ryan Cassidy (West Springfield/ West Springfield) header. The goal was created off a Paul Soucy (Acushnet/ Old Colony Reg. Voc.) corner. A deep drive across the face of the goal found Ryan Morais (Uxbridge/ Uxbridge) at the back post who headed it back to Cassidy on the near side for the finish.
The Gators pulled away in the second half outshooting the Owls 15-2 in the frame. Hernandez- Garcia scored the game winner in the 64th minute in spectacular fashion. He took an entry pass 18 yards away from the goal with his back turned to the target before spinning and uncorking a laser that found the upper right corner.
Garcia sealed the Owls' fate with five minutes remaining via a through ball from Elmer Pineda (Santa Rosa, Calif./ Piner) in traffic.
Nick Chambers (Southwick/ Southwick) posted nine saves and seven in the second half.
The Owls return to conference play on Saturday, October 26 at home for a noon kick off against Worcester State. Pine Manor hosts New England College on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.