BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Joel Lobo (Brockton) netted a career-best four goals and added an assist as the Massasoit Community College men's soccer team overcame a second-half deficit to defeat the Community College of Rhode Island, 6-3, on Wednesday afternoon.
"I thought the guys played well today. They came out and did exactly what I asked them to do. We practiced hard these past two days after Saturday's loss (8-2 to Bryant & Stratton) and I think the guys came out focused and we had a game plan and they really stuck to it," head coach Rui Estrela said.
The win for Estrela was the 99th of his coaching career guiding the Warriors, as Massasoit improved to 6-3-2 on the season.
Massasoit trailed 3-2 after CCRI's Matthew Bulmer scored in the 61st minute of action. However, the match was far from over as the Warriors would respond. Lobo connected for the equalizer, his second tally of the day, off a pass from William Neves (Brockton) in the 65th minute.
With the score knotted at 3-3, the Warriors would connect on a flurry of goals, finding the back of the net in three consecutive minutes -- the 85th, 86th and 87th. Lobo would score the first two of the late trio, while Rafael Monteiro (Brockton) knocked in a header for Massasoit's sixth and final goal.
The Warriors dominated play in the first half, but were deadlocked in a 1-1 tie at intermission. Lobo scored the game's first goal at the 18:27 mark, but in the 27th minute, CCRI evened the match. Massasoit outshot the visiting Knights 14-1 in the first half, and 27 to five overall.
The Warriors also attempted 15 corner kicks to just one by CCRI.
Prior to Lobo's second half hat trick, Ruben Varela (Brockton) netted Massasoit's second goal off a pass from Lobo.
Varela also had a first half assist, while Joao Cardoso (Brockton), Edmar Vieira (Brockton) and Wagner Amarante (Brockton) all dished out helpers in the second stanza.
"We really controlled the game and executed well. We still need to finish better, but if we can get that under control and put teams away early I'll be a lot more comfortable," Estrela said.
Massasoit will play a pair of games over the weekend as part of the Essex CC Tournament in Newark, N.J. The Warriors' first game is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. vs. Essex CC
