Second Half Scoring Barrage Lifts WPI Past Mass Maritime
Worcester, MA --- Three different WPI players notched goals in just over an 11-minute stretch midway through the second half to propel the host Engineers to a 3-0 non-conference men's soccer victory over Massachusetts Maritime Academy on Wednesday evening.
WPI, winners of three straight, is now 10-4 on the season and reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2009. The Buccaneers see their record even at 6-6-2 on the season.
After a scoreless first half, the hosts dented the scoring column when Sean Galligan(Weymouth, MA) crossed a ball to Christopher Murray (Canton, MA), whose header just trickled by a diving MMA goalkeeper at 56:25. It was the freshman's team-leading seventh goal of the season.
The Engineers added to their advantage early in the 66th minute when Stephen Partridge(Worcester, MA) headed a Jason Hopkins ball into the back of the net for this second marker of 2012. Freshman Conor King (Douglas, MA) closed out the scoring binge 1:43 later when he rocketed home a feed by Eric Crevoiserat (Glastonbury, CT) for his third goal of the year at 66:53.
Mass Maritime freshman Taylor Sjoberg (Mansfield, MA) nearly broke up the shutout but his bid hit the crossbar with just over four minutes remaining in the contest.
The first half featured strong midfield play from both squads. WPI attempted five of the stanza's seven shots but Mass Maritime had the best scoring opportunity when Tim McDonough (Framingham, MA) spun past his defender and rifled a shot that just hit the side net by the near post.
WPI netminder Jeff Wong (Millington, NJ) posted his fourth clean sheet of the season.
The Buccaneers had three different goalkeepers see action. Starter Brett Young (Falmouth, MA) made two stops and exited after saving a breakaway at 50:03. Patrick Slaney(Northbridge, MA) registered five saves of the next 21:10 while Andrew Brown (Bel Air, MD) turned back a shot over the final 18:47.
For the game, the hosts help a 16-7 advantage in shots and a slight 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
WPI wraps up a four game in seven day stretch Friday afternoon with a 4pm non-conference road contest at Anna Maria. Mass Maritime returns to MASCAC action on Saturday, with a noon home match-up versus league leader Salem State.
