Women’s soccer holds off Westfield in tie

By Izabela Gage

Sports Editor

By Taylor Kimmell

Asst. Sports Editor

The Framingham State Rams kept pace with the Westfield State Owls 1-1 in a conference matchup Oct. 18 - the first time this matchup has not resulted in a Rams’ loss in 10 years. 

Sophomore Hailey Ring said she hopes this shows other MASCAC teams “we are new and improved. We haven’t beat Westfield or tied them in around 10 or 12 years, so it was a big deal for us.

“Hopefully, other teams in the conference will know to bring their A-game when they see FSU marked on their calendar,” she added.

Their conference record now stands at 3-2-1, and their overall record is 5-7-3.

The Owls began the match with a strong push on offense, earning two consecutive corner kicks within the first two minutes.

At 6:30, the Rams brought the ball down the field, allowing Ring to take a shot on net.

After Ring’s shot missed the net, Westfield stole back possession and maintained control of the game on offense for the next 7:30.

During this period of time, sophomore goalkeeper Savannah Goba accumulated three saves.

Framingham regained offensive control with a shot from junior Ana Serrano, shortly followed by one from junior Melissa Romeiro. Westfield goalkeeper Julia Robak blocked both shots.

WSU regained possession once again with a shot at 25:34 that was saved by Goba.

During the next three minutes, the Owls earned four corner kicks, none of which they were able to capitalize on.

A minute later, the Rams brought the ball back down the field. Freshman Leiyani Buckner sent a strong pass across the net to Ring, allowing her to score Framingham’s first goal of the match.

Ring said Buckner’s positioning, as well as her well-executed pass, “was half the work if not more. All I really had to do was place the ball in the net and thankfully, I did.”

Ring attributed the Rams’ success on this play to Head Coach Michael La Francesca’s coaching. He has the team work on “lots of shooting drills, and we’ve been trying to work on our runs, touches, and the way we play off the ball. He has also drilled into our brains that we can’t be selfish with the ball.”

Romeiro sent in another shot six minutes later, which was saved by Robak.

Possession swapped again, and Westfield attempted another goal, with Goba making yet another save.

At 41:03, Westfield shot on the Rams’ net once again, with the ball going wide.

FSU took back offensive control, with freshman Abigale King shooting on goal. The ball was saved by Robak, marking the last play of the first half.

The Rams started strong in the second half, with Romeiro making a shot on goal less than a minute and a half in.

In the 48th minute, Westfield’s Kiana Muratsuka broke through Framingham’s defense and found the back of the net to tie the game 1-1. 

At 55:56, King sent a shot high over the net. 

After four minutes of the teams fighting for possession, Buckner’s attempt was blocked, followed by a corner kick from freshman Sophia Thimm at 59:54.

In the 62nd minute, Ring tested Robak with another shot on goal, but Robak came up with the save. 

The Owls earned a corner kick at 64:28, but it was unsuccessful.

Muratsuka took another shot for Westfield at 68:02, but freshman goalkeeper Amelia Finley made the save. 

Westfield continued pressing, earning another corner kick at 70:06, but Finley and the Rams’ defense held strong.

The Owls' offense added more pressure with back-to-back chances - one saved by Finley and the other blocked by the Rams’ defense.

WSU sent a header shot toward the goal, which was stopped once again by Finley at 73:55.

The Rams were unable to get the ball into the Owls’ defensive zone, and at 77:10, Westfield’s Morgan Berthiaume tried to find a gap in Finley’s defense, but she was unsuccessful.

Westfield’s Kiki McNary took a corner for Westfield at 84:58, followed by a shot from Berthiaume that hit the crossbar at 85:15.

The Owls took one last chance at 87:01, but fortunately went wide, and the game ended 1-1.

The Rams host the Mass. Maritime Buccaneers Oct. 25.

Ring said, “It’s going to be Senior Night at our game against Mass Maritime and there will be a lot of people there supporting us. Our energy levels will be up for sure, so hopefully., we can channel all of our excitement into Saturday’s game. 

“It’s only up from here,” she added.