WPI 4, Rivier 1

Box Score                

Nashua, MA --- Four different WPI players notched second half goals to lift WPI to a 4-1 victory over host Rivier in a non-conference men's soccer contest Thursday evening. The Engineers, winners of four straight, see their record move to 7-1 on the season while the Raiders slip to 1-6.

The game was played tight throughout the first half as both teams had opportunities, but neither could connect as they headed into halftime deadlocked at 0-0. In the second half WPI made a few adjustments and took no time to score their first goal, coming just 2:10 into the half. Matthew Gonsalves (Swansea, MA) scored unassisted to get the ball rolling in WPI's direction.

Then at 66:31 WPI's Kyle Powers (Hamilton, NJ) found the back of the net for his first carer goal off on an assist from Tommy Zajac (Merrimack, NH). Just a few seconds later by an unassisted goal by Mike Ford (Whitman, MA) to put WPI up 3-0.

Rivier finally got on the board in the 72nd minute when Chris Nugent's (Camberley, Surry, England) got a pass from Eric Moreno (Lynn, MA) to cut the score to 3-1. However the Raiders couldn't find the back of the net again as seven of the eight shots on goal were stopped by WPI keeper Kirk Dragsbaek (Sherborn, MA).

Jason Hopkins (Mendon, MA) scored WPI's final goal in the 85th minute off a pass from Sean Galligan (Weymouth, MA) to cap off the scoring. The marker was the freshman's 10th of the season while the helper was Galligan's first career point.

Rivier will travel to Boston on Saturday to take on Emerson College in a GNAC match-up at 2:30pm. WPI returns to action on Saturday as they host conference rival Springfield in a 6:00pm game.

Release Courtesy Rivier Sports Information