WESTFIELD, Mass. - Peter Martillotta's (Gasport, NY) goal with 3:03 left in regulation was the difference as Russell Sage College emerged victorious in a 3-2 men's soccer win over Westfield State University in a non-conference game at Alumni Field on Tuesday evening.
Sage is now 2-0-1 on the season, while the Owls record levels at 1-1.
The game winner came after Joe Piperata (Rensselaer, NY) lofted a long ball from midfield into the penalty area that Andrew Kraszewski (Mechanicville, NY) back-heeled across the box to Martilotta at the left post for the game winner.
Westfield had rallied from a 2-0 deficit at the half. Paul Whalley (Southwick, Mass.) netted the Owls' first goal, and the first of his collegiate career on a nice header off a serve on a corner kick from Ethan Margolis (Wakefield, Mass.) in the 53rd minute. Then Charlie Anischik (South Hadley, Mass.) cashed in on a serve from Devonte Livramento (Chicopee, Mass.), which skipped across the box to Anischik at the back post to finalize in the 76th minute to tie the match at 2-2.
Sage took a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute as El Hadji Iba Sy (Bronx, NY) ran on to a long ball from Mason Kievit (Lagrange, NY), and beat the Owls back line, chipping a shot over WSU goalkeeper Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.).
The Gators snapped up a 2-0 lead in the 36th minute when John Locicero (Wallkill, NY) headed home a corner kick from Piperata.
Sage held a 23-16 edge in total shots, and a 6-4 margin in corner kicks. Theroux finished with nine saves for the Owls, while Tyler Brennan (Albany, NY) and Jordan Prouty (Cohoes, NY) combined for six saves. Prouty earned the goalie win in relief after Brennan and the Owls' Edwin Zaruma-Buri (Northampton, Mass.) were sent off after a tiff with about 15 minutes left in the match.
Westfield will be back in action with another non-conference tilt, hosting Rivier (N.H.) College at 7:00 p.m. on Alumni Field.
Sage will next play at SUNY Canton on Friday at 6:00 p.m.