By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams beat the Fitchburg State Falcons 2-1 at Maple Street Field Sept. 16.
Framingham’s win over Fitchburg secured their second win of the season, placing them on a two-game win streak.
The Rams traveled to Rivier College and beat the Raiders 1-0, securing their first win of the season Sept. 12.
Framingham’s Brandi Core scored the only goal of the game, capturing Framingham’s first win and scoring her second goal of the season.
In the net, Framingham’s goalkeeper, Kaitlyn Tello, saved all three of the shots that came her way.
After notching their first win of the season, the Rams beat the Falcons in an overtime thriller.
Since moving from the Little East Conference to the MASCAC, Framingham’s victory over Fitchburg gives them an undefeated start in the conference.
Framingham’s Brandi Kondi led the team’s offense, scoring both of the goals. She scored the game’s first goal unassisted and teammate Angelina Serra assisted Kondi on her game-winning overtime goal.
Kondi’s three shots, along with three from teammate Ashley Malmquist and four from Core, helped add much-needed pressure to Fitchburg’s defense.
Kondi said she was “definitely just playing hungry and wanting the win.”
After leading most of the game, the Falcons scored a goal with less than eight minutes left in regulation.
Framingham’s head coach, Allie Lucenta, said, “We definitely had a little bit of a breakdown at the end of the fourth quarter.”
“Communication kind of started to fade so it was just really pumping each other back up - making sure that our communication was back to what it usually is,” she added.
During the game’s overtime, only five shots were taken between the teams before Kondi’s goal secured Framingham’s win. Serra, Core, Malmquist, and Kondi combined for all five of these shots.
Kondi said, “We should have had the win in regulation so going into overtime, we just wanted to get it done as soon as possible.”
In the net, Tello only allowed one goal and saved the other four shots taken against her.
Kondi’s two goals against Fitchburg earned her MASCAC Offensive Player of the Week Sept. 18.
Kondi said the win feels “pretty historic.”
She said, “As we're going into the new conference, winning our first MASCAC game is pretty huge.
“I don't know - it's just wild,” Kondi added.
Lucenta said this first MASCAC win “definitely sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
As of press time, the Rams beat Eastern Connecticut State 3-2 in another overtime thriller.
With less than two minutes remaining of regulation, and trailing 2-1, Kondi assisted Malmquist to send the game to overtime.
Framingham displayed another strong overtime and within two minutes of play, Core assisted Kondi for the game-winning goal.
This was Kondi’s second overtime goal in just two games and the Rams now boast a three-game win streak.
Serra said, “After losing some tough games, I think we all knew that we needed to take a step back and focus on the basics.
“This team has great potential and I hope we can carry this momentum with us throughout the season,” she added.
Framingham travels to Salem State for another MASCAC matchup Sept. 23.