DANBURY, Conn. – Freshman goalkeeper
Bryant Amaral (Coventry, R.I.) matched a personal best with nine saves, but Western Connecticut State University used a pair of goals in each half to upend Plymouth State University, 4-0, in Little East Conference (LEC) men's soccer action at Westside Athletic Complex on Saturday.
The Wolves opened the scoring in the 11th minute, then doubled the lead in the 22nd. Amaral made five saves in the opening half to keep the Panthers within striking distance, but WestConn added two more goals in the second half to pull away.
Plymouth State falls to 3-3-0 (0-2-0 LEC), while the Wolves improve to 5-1-3 (2-0-0 LEC).
The Basics:
- Plymouth State 0, WestConn 4
- Plymouth State (3-3-0, 0-2-0 LEC)
- WestConn (5-1-3, 2-0-0 LEC)
How it Happened:
- WestConn flicked a ball over the Panthers' back line, and a well-timed run by the striker led to a breakaway before a left-footed finish inside the right post gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.
- The Wolves extended the margin in the 22nd minute when an attacker got free at the far post for a tap-in.
- WestConn continued to control play, but Amaral made four saves to keep it a two-goal deficit at halftime.
- Amaral made a stop on a free kick from 25 yards out midway through the second half and Plymouth State countered with some offensive pressure.
- Junior George Bergin (Brentwood, N.H.) stole a pass to set up a shot for freshman Mohammed Ayari (Lynnfield, Mass.) at the top of the box, but the WestConn keeper was able to control it.
- WestConn countered with a pair of tallies less than two minutes apart to put the game away.
By the Numbers:
- Amaral made nine saves, while the WestConn goalkeepers combined for two. He has made nine saves in two of his four starts this season.
- WestConn held a 22-6 advantage in shots and a 9-2 edge in corners.
- The Wolves have won 11 straight meetings, though the all-time series stands at 19-19-3.
Up Next:
- Plymouth State heads to Worcester State University on Tuesday (Sept. 22) for a 7 p.m. match with the Lancers.
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