Men’s soccer downed by Westfield

By Avery Slavin

Staff Writer

The Framingham State Rams fell to the Westfield State Owls in a close matchup Oct. 18. This brings their record to 5-8-2, and their conference record to 2-4. 

Within the first two minutes, Westfield’s Dylan Wesley assisted Nick Parakilas’ shot, leading to the first point on the scoreboard. 

Ten minutes later, sophomore Michael Jokic tried to catch the Rams up with a shot toward the net, but it was saved by Westfield’s goalie, Luke Theroux. 

In the same minute, Captain Landon Medeiros, a junior, scored a goal assisted by Captain Kaio Santos Da Silva, also a junior. 

Junior Brian Penney tried to get the Rams in the lead with another shot, but it was wide. 

Santos Da Silva helped get the job done with an assist from sophomore Isaiah Harris, earning the Rams their second point. 

Not even two minutes later, Wesley earned a point for the Owls, tying the score. 

Yuji Dasilva, a sophomore, sent the ball toward the net, only for it to be saved by Theroux. 

The first half of the game ended with three unsuccessful shots from the Owls. 

During the first five minutes of the second half, Parakilas scored the Owls’ third goal of the game, assisted by Paul Whalley. 

The Owls attempted three more shots, two of which were saved by Framingham’s goalie, freshman Colin Holt, and one being too wide to make it in the net. 

Shortly after, though, Parakilas earned Westfield their fourth point, leaving the Rams trailing by two. 

Santos Da Silva made a comeback and hit the back of the net for the Rams.

Framingham and Westfield continued to send the ball back and forth, with shot attempts from Harris and junior Abdellah Eddahbi.

Parakilas took possession of the ball and scored yet another goal for the Owls. 

Captain Thiago Magalhaes, a sophomore, launched the ball toward the net, but it was blocked. 

He tried again, and helped Santos Da Silva send the ball straight in. 

Unfortunately, that was as close as the Rams could get, as the clock ran out before they could surpass the Owls’ five points. 

The final score was 5-4. 

Although it was such a close game, the Rams were upset with this loss. 

Logan Winsor, a junior, said, “With this recent loss, it was definitely hard to keep our heads up. We have really seen a lot from the team this year and we have all the parts to be successful, but some games we do not get the result we wanted or, in my opinion, deserved.

“I think that everyone left all they had out on the field and really put their best foot forward,” he added. 

Jokic said, “After a tough loss, it’s important to get into a better headspace and look to the next game. I personally like to reflect on the team’s performance and then take a look at my own performance within 24 hours of the game. This way, I can let the loss sting a little and use it to build motivation to do better. 

“It’s important to think and reflect on what happened, but also pick out any good parts of the game and build on those for the next one,” he added.

Medeiros said, “You just have to look at the positives of the games. Obviously, it was not the outcome we wanted, or even expected, but the reality is that we are right there and ready to make a push for the playoffs leading up to the Mass. Maritime and Bridgewater games.”

The Rams recognized they faced some challenges in this game, but feel ready to bounce back. 

Jokic said, “It was definitely a tough game mentally because we had moments of success that quickly ended. Being down one and then quickly scoring two, we definitely thought we were on a great track just to concede again right before halftime. It definitely knocked us down a little.”

Medeiros said, “We definitely played a good game and putting four goals past last year's champs isn’t a small accomplishment. We just need to make sure we are more aggressive and win more 50/50 challenges with the other team. If we just made sure we were more on top of it defensively, the result could have been different.”

Regardless of this tough loss, the Rams always have each other’s backs. 

Winsor said, “The boys on the team are all great. I think it’s very nice to see how people mesh together and see the relationships that have been formed so far over the season. … Whoever it may be and whenever it may be, the team is always working toward being there for each other on and off the field as a teammate and a friend. On the pitch, everybody is quick to help pick someone up if they make a mistake and it is nice to see such a positive group that is so willing to work with each other.” 

The Rams take on Mass. Maritime Oct. 24.