Owls Soccer Falls to Pine Manor, 3-1

Westfield, Mass. – The Westfield State men's soccer team fell to Pine Manor, 3-1, in a non- conference match on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Alumni Field.

Henry Garcia (Burleson, Texas/ Burleson) was the story of the game for the Gators, scoring the first and third goals along with assisting on the game winner.

Garcia scored the opener in the 13^th minute when a through pass from Andree Hernandez- Garcia (San Antonio, Texas/ Tom C. Clark) sprung him on a one-on-one with the Owls' keeper. 

The Owls responded seven minutes later to equalize on a Ryan Cassidy (West Springfield/ West Springfield) header. The goal was created off a Paul Soucy (Acushnet/ Old Colony Reg. Voc.) corner. A deep drive across the face of the goal found Ryan Morais (Uxbridge/ Uxbridge) at the back post who headed it back to Cassidy on the near side for the finish.

The Gators pulled away in the second half outshooting the Owls 15-2 in the frame. Hernandez- Garcia scored the game winner in the 64^th minute in spectacular fashion. He took an entry pass 18 yards away from the goal with his back turned to the target before spinning and uncorking a laser that found the upper right corner.

Garcia sealed the Owls' fate with five minutes remaining via a through ball from Elmer Pineda (Santa Rosa, Calif./ Piner) in traffic.

Nick Chambers (Southwick/ Southwick) posted nine saves and seven in the second half.

The Owls return to conference play on Saturday, October 26 at home for a noon kick off against Worcester State. Pine Manor hosts New England College on Saturday at 2:00 p.m.