Westfield State University Edges Men’s Soccer, 1-0

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Elms College freshmen goalkeepers Christian Kostka (Oxford, Conn.) and Nicholson Pennant (Kingston, Jamaica) combined for five saves, but a goal by Westfield State University's Malcolm Richardson (Stoneham, Mass.) in the eighth minute of action proved to be the game-winner as the Owls held on for a hard-fought, 1-0 victory in Thursday afternoon's non-conference men's soccer game at Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.

With the loss, Elms falls to 1-3 on the season, while Westfield State notches its first win to improve to 1-2-1 overall.

In a game that was tightly contested throughout, Westfield State broke through early when Richardson netted a goal following an initial shot by Ryan Nickerson (Billerica, Mass.) that was blocked by Elms' sophomore defender Anthony Nitri (Feeding Hills, Mass.) at the 7:07 mark of the first period to give the Owls a 1-0 lead.

Despite being outshot 8-3 during the first 45 minutes of action, Kostka, who started the game between the pipes for the Blazers, limited Westfield State to the one early score as the Owls took a 1-0 advantage into intermission.

In the second half, Elms edged Westfield State in shots, 6-5 as junior midfielder Adam O'Grady (Somers, Conn.) and sophomore defender Thomas Rivers (Fayetteville, N.C.) registered two shots on goal each.

Owls' net-minder Kris Carrington (Agawam, Mass.) finished with five saves in the winning effort, including three in the second stanza, while his second-half counterpart Pennant, made two stops in the final 45 minutes.

Elms returns to non-conference play on Monday, September 17 when it hosts Colby-Sawyer College at 7:00 p.m. at Leary Field.