WPI 3, Westfield State 1

Box Score            

Worcester,  MA --- Three different players tallied goals to help propel host WPI to a 3-1 victory over Westfield State in non-conference men's soccer action on Wednesday evening.  With the win, the Engineers improve to 8-7 on the season the Owls slip to 5-9-2. 

WPI got on the board first at the 9:01 mark of the first stanza when senior Jason Gray (Carver, MA) converted on a pass from sophomore Thomas Cucinotta (Easton, MA). Gray shot a low line drive in the back of the net about 30 yards away for his fourth marker of the season.

Senior Ben Gilde (Manchester, NH) would increase the Engineer lead to 2-0 on a penalty kick goal, his team-leading six of the year, in the 28th minute.

Freshman Justin Laliberte (Easthampton, MA) got Westfield State on the board in the 57th minute. Laliberte, who found the ball at his feet in front of the Engineer goal after a corner kick deflected off a WPI defender, connected for his sixth tally of the season.

The Crimson and Grey answered in the 70th minute when junior Dominic DeChiara (Kingston, MA) booted home a nifty pass from Cucinotta to make it 3-1 WPI. Cucinotta dribbled to the near-side post and quickly crossed to a wide open DeChiara for his first goal of the season. 

On the night, WPI enjoyed advantage 17-10 in shots while the Owls took seven of the game's 10 corner kicks. 

Goalkeeper Paul Moan (Watertown, MA) collected three saves in net for WPI.  Mike Thompson (Feeding Hills, MA) and Jeff Pepoli (Ashburnham, MA) each played a half in net for Westfield State, registering three and one saves respectively. 

Both teams will close out conference regular season play on Saturday.  WPI will host Wheaton while Westfield State heads to North Adams for a match-up with MCLA.

Story Written by Dave Milone