WPI 3, Fitchburg State 2

Box Score          

Fitchburg, MA --- Ben Gilde (Manchester, NH), Evan Demers-Peel (Norton, MA) and Thomas Cucinotta (Easton, MA) all scored goals in the final 30:41 to help WPI rally from a 2-0 deficit to knock off host Fitchburg 3-2 in non-conference men's soccer action on Wednesday evening.

Fitchburg State came out firing, maintaining possession through the first half of play before Brian Mountain (Southwick, MA) connected for his first score of the game to give the Falcons an early 1-0 edge. Mountain took a cross pass from Danny Angelosanto (Stoneham, MA) and redirected it for his second goal of the season. 

In the second half, Fitchburg State increased its lead to 2-0 as Mountain hustled to steal a WPI goal-kick and net his second goal of the match. 

Fitchburg State controlled the tempo of the first part of the second frame as Mountain had two scoring opportunities sail wide. WPI rallied midway through the second period to tie the game at 2-2 before clinching the victory with 2:11 remaining in regulation. Glide put the Engineers on the board with his fifth goal of the season before Demers-Peel tied the contest in the 79th minute following a indirect kick Rens Hayes (Whitman, MA) and a nifty header from Dominic DeChiara (Kingston, MA). Cucinotta secured the victory for WPI, connecting for his first collegiate goal off a feed from Demers-Peel in the 88th minute.

WPI held a slim 17-14 advantage in shots, but Fitchburg State pressured the Engineer defense with a 6-3 advantage in corners.

Kirk Dragsbaek (Sherborn, MA) earned the victory in relief for the Engineers with two saves.  Paul Moan (Watertown, MA) worked the first 72 minutes for the Crimson and Gray, making four stops. Junior goalkeeper Matt Carey (Stratford, CT) totaled four saves in net for the Falcons.

Fitchburg State (4-7-1) is back in action on Saturday as it travels to Mass Maritime at 12 p.m. WPI (7-6-0) will travel to Babson next Saturday for a noon NEWMAC match.

Release Courtsey Fitchburg State Sports Information