PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Freshman
Michael Mezzetti (Lake Placid, N.Y.) scored twice and classmate
Krish Patel (Uxbridge, Mass.) added his first collegiate goal as Plymouth State University defeated Fitchburg State University, 3-1, in a non-conference men's soccer match on a rain-soaked Panther Field on Tuesday night.
The Falcons struck first in the 11th minute, sending a thunderous strike from 12 yards out into the left side of the net for an early 1-0 lead. Mezzetti nearly answered after a Plymouth State throw-in, but the Fitchburg State goalkeeper turned aside his attempt. Patel collected the rebound and chipped it into the net to even the score in the 21st minute.
Mezzetti gave the Panthers the lead just before halftime, finishing a deflected ball off a corner kick with 1:09 remaining in the half.
He added an insurance goal in the 55th minute, blasting a shot from 30 yards out that the goalkeeper slowed but could not keep out of the net.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Trevor Spofford (New Boston, N.H.) made six second-half saves to preserve the lead, helping the Panthers secure the victory despite an 11-6 deficit in shots on goal.
Plymouth State improves to 6-5-1, while the Falcons fall to 5-7-2.
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 3, Fitchburg State 1
- Plymouth State (6-5-1)
- Fitchburg State (5-7-2)
How it Happened:
- Fitchburg State applied early pressure, forcing freshman starting goalkeeper Yahir Tinajero (Manchester, N.H.) to make an early save.
- The Falcons took the lead in the 11th minute when a clearance off a corner kick bounced to a player on the wing, who rocketed a shot inside the left post.
- A Plymouth State throw-in set up Mezzetti's first scoring chance, but the Falcon goalkeeper slid to kick aside his shot toward the right post. Patel collected the rebound and chipped it into the net to tie the game in the 21st minute.
- Play evened over the much of the first half until the Panthers generated late chances on a pair of corner kicks. On the second, the ball was served toward the far post and deflected off a defender to Mezzetti, who finished to give PSU a 2-1 lead with 1:09 remaining before halftime.
- Fitchburg State pressed for an equalizer early in the second half and earned a corner kick, but Plymouth State cleared the ball away and launched a counterattack. Mezzetti finished the break with a rocket from 30 yards out that the goalkeeper could not handle, extending the lead to 3-1 in the 55th minute.
- Spofford made six saves in the second half to keep the Falcons at bay.
By the Numbers:
- Patel scored his first collegiate goal, while Mezzetti recorded his first two.
- Mezzetti led the Panthers with five shots.
- Tinajero made four first-half saves, while Spofford added six in the second half.
- Plymouth State earned 10 corner kicks to the Falcons' seven.
- Fitchburg State held an 11-6 advantage in shots on goal.
- The teams had split their four prior meetings, with each game decided by one goal.
Up Next:
- The Panthers host UMass Dartmouth in a key Little East Conference matchup on Saturday (Oct. 17) at 1 p.m.
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