BROCKTON, Mass. ---- Sophomores Ienik Spencer (Pawtucket, R.I.) and Sidney Cardoso (Portugal) each netted a pair of goals as the Massasoit men's soccer team held off a pesky NHTI team, 5-3, on Wednesday afternoon at Warrior Field.
The Warriors (2-2-1) held a commanding 3-0 lead at the break, behind Cardoso's two goals and another from freshman Blake Brailsford (Bridgewater). Cardoso's second goal came on a breakaway off a punt from goalie Ollie Dagraca (Brockton). All three goals by Massasoit came in the first 17:03 of the opening stanza.
Following intermission, the Lynx fought back as Heran Rai and Jacob Silverstein each found the back of the net. But after each NHTI goal, Spencer was there to respond with breakaway goals for the Warriors as the game saw four goals in a 13-minute span after halftime.
Rai found the back of the net again for NHTI (1-3) in the 68th minute to round out the scoring on the day.
"In the first half we came out ready to play," head coach Rui Estrela said. "We were moving the ball quickly and got up 3-0 early, but I think we just took the foot off the gas. We just sat back and in the second half and our energy level was even worse than it was at the end of the first half.
"We let NHTI get back in the game. It was not a good outing out of us in the second half."
In addition to his two goals, Spencer added a pair of assists. Cardoso and Brailsford also tallied helpers on the afternoon.
Massasoit outshot NHTI 32-19 in the victory.
To go along with his assist, keeper Dagraca made nine saves and did not allow any of the three goals in 55 minutes of action.
NHTI keeper Andrew Larprise made 12 saves in the loss.
Massasoit hosts No. 4 Monroe College (5-0) on Saturday at 3 PM.
"Saturday is going to be quite the test for us and I think these guys need it. We are not playing at the level we should be," Estrela said.
