Posted: Sep 06, 2016
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. ---- The Massasoit men's soccer team fell behind early, but rallied with three unanswered goals, two from sophomore Ienik Spencer (Pawtucket, R.I.) as the Warriors prevailed 3-1 over the AIC JV team on Tuesday afternoon.
Massasoit (1-0-1) outshot the Yellow Jackets 19-7, but struggled to finish around the net, most notably in the first half. The Warriors rifled 13 shots in the opening stanza.
"Having three days off really showed today," head coach Rui Estrela said. "We were possessing the ball but we were not finishing, especially early on. We were not all mentally there today and we were sloppy at times."
AIC struck first with a goal in the 25th minute of action. It was not until the 43rd minute that the Warriors responded. Edgar Lopez (Seekonk) cleared a ball up to midfield and Spencer went to goal, netting a breakaway with only two minutes left in the half.
Sidney Cardoso (Portugal) put away what proved to be the game-winner midway through the second half, when he headed home a cross from fellow sophomore Nathan Estrela (Falmouth) in the 61st minute.
Spencer would add an insurance goal, his second of the day, on a through ball from Deivys D'Almeida (New Bedford) to cap off the scoring on the afternoon.
"To win 3-1 against a good team and not play our best shows what kind of potential we have," Estrela said. "We just need to come out more mentally prepared this weekend."
The Warriors will play at Monroe CC on Saturday, followed by a road tilt against Bryant & Stratton on Sunday.
