Jon Principato scores Westfield’s lone goal at Framingham. (Photo by Cindi Williamson)
FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham State University men’s soccer team picked up a key conference victory Saturday as it defeated Westfield State University 3-1 in Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) action at Maple Street Field.
Entering the game, the two teams were tied in the second spot in the MASCAC standings and the Rams move ahead of the Owls as they are now 5-1 in the conference and 8-5-2 overall. The Owls fall to 5-9-1 on the season and 4-2 in the MASCAC.
The Owls struck first with a goal just under 10 minutes into the game. Sophomore Dom Cavallini (Springfield, Mass.) hit senior Jon Principato (Stoneham, Mass.) with a pass in the box and Principato fired a shot on goal. The shot hit the cross bar, bounced straight down and crossed the goal line for the 1-0 lead at 9:47.
The game would remain 1-0 in favor of the Owls until late in the half when the Rams got on the board. Sophomore Cory Cardeiro (Westport, Mass.) sent a long throw into the box that senior Will Menter (Haverhill, Mass.) deflected with his head to junior Henrique DaSilva (Framingham, Mass.). DaSilva was coming in on a run at the far post and headed the deflection from Menter into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.
The game would go to the half tied at 1-1, but the tie would not last long as the Rams tallied the game winner just 1:36 into the second half. Sophomore Nick Cotter (Sandwich, Mass.) fed a pass to classmate Bryan DaSilva (Milford, Mass.) and DaSilva blasted a shot into the back of the net for his fourth of the season.
The Rams added an insurance goal in the 54th minute as Bryan DaSilva sent a thru ball to senior Jepherson Cardoso (Framingham, Mass.) and Cardoso made a nice move and placed a shot in the top corner for the 3-1 lead.
The Rams outshot the Owls 19-9 in the game and held a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. Senior Sam Yoder picked up the victory in net for the Rams making six saves, while junior Kris Carrington (Agawam, Mass.) made seven for the Owls.
The Rams return to action on Sunday afternoon with a non-conference game at Connecticut College at 1:30 p.m., while the Owls host Lasell College in non-conference action on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
