WESTFIELD, Mass. – Despite an improbable goal from Westfield State goalkeeper Luke Theroux (Chicopee, Mass.), the Owls were edged by Framingham State 2-1 in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference clash on Saturday afternoon from Maple Street Field in Framingham Mass.
The Owls suffer their first loss in conference play this season, dropping to 3-1 in the league and 4-5-1 overall. The Rams move to 2-2 in league play and 5-5-1 on the season.
With Westfield trailing 1-0 in the second half, the Owls were awarded a free kick on their own 35-yard line with Theroux stepping up to take the attempt. The Owls keeper launched the ball 65 yards downfield with the ball bouncing high off the turf in the penalty box and over the head of Rams keeper Joseph Sturzo (Lowell, Mass.) to tie the match.
In the 66th minute, an attacking Rams offense forced a foul just outside the penalty box, setting up a free kick where Kunphel Sinha (Darjeeling, India) caught the Westfield defense off guard by quickly approaching the ball and lacing a shot to the far side of the net and out of the reach of Theroux, ultimately scoring the game-winning goal.
Framingham got on the scoreboard first in the opening half of play with Kaio Santos De Silva (Cuparaque, Brazil) tallying his team-leading sixth goal of the season off an assist from Michael Champagne (Wellesley, Mass.).
Westfield held a sizeable shots advantage in the contest, outshooting the Rams 20-7 overall, including an 11-3 edge in the second half. Sturzo compiled ten saves in the match, then gave way to Matheus Rodriguez (Mantena, Brazil) who picked up the win. Theroux (L, 4-5-1) made four saves for the Owls.
Westfield State will return home to host Salve Regina in a non-conference game on Tuesday at 7:00 P.M.