By: Jon Santer
Sports Editor
Following an outstanding team effort, The Springfield College men’s soccer team defeated the Westfield State University Owls 3-0 Saturday afternoon at the Irv Schmid Sports Complex. With the win, the Pride improve their record to 3-1 (0-0), while the Owls drop to 2-3 overall.
It was all Springfield in the early going, pressing the Westfield State defense for the first 20 minutes of the game.
With 14:11 remaining in the first half, the Pride broke open the scoring with an outstanding individual effort from Michael Fowler. Fowler dribbled the ball down the left side of the field, one-touched it to the middle and blasted the ball past the outstretched hands of junior goalkeeper Keith Hevey, giving the Pride a 1-0 edge.
“I think we played fantastic from top to bottom. Today was an example of what we are all about,” commented Fowler. “Everyone played their part today and it was definitely a team effort to pick up the victory.”
Springfield kept the pressure on the Owls for the remainder of the first half, tallying 23 total shots, with seven of those shots on cage.
Early on in the second half, the Pride had another great chance to score. After ball deflected off of a Westfield State defender, senior midfielder Scott Morneault sent a cross to the backside of the net, finding the head of classmate Danny Amato. Amato, with a chance to put the Pride up two goals, sent the ball just over the crossbar.
With 29:36 remaining in the second half, Fowler received the ball in the middle of the field and sent a through ball behind the Westfield State defense. Utilizing his speed, junior midfielder Kevin Nowak outran two Owl defenders, caught up to the ball and buried a shot into the bottom right corner, putting Springfield up 2-0.
“Mike [Fowler] did a great job getting a touch on the ball, and as soon as I saw it on his feet I knew I had to start moving forward,” said Nowak. “We have to have the quickest guys on the field, and I get them all day so I know I have to take advantage of my chances.”
Firing on all cylinders, Springfield utilized their momentum to add another strike as sophomore forward Austin Vico fought for body position in the box, won the one-on-one and fired the ball past Hevey.
Hevey finished the game with eight saves, as Springfield goaltenders Billy Schmid and Zach Richard combined for the shutout, making two saves a piece. Having started the game, Schmid was awarded the victory.
The Pride will look to continue their success when they host Western Connecticut Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.