Owls, Raiders Play to 0-0 Stalemate

WESTFIELD, Mass. -  After 90 minutes of soccer, nothing was settled at Alumni Field as Westfield State and visiting Rivier University played to a 0-0 draw in a non-conference match on Thursday evening.

On a hot and steamy evening with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees at kickoff, neither team was able to muster a goal.

Westfield State's best scoring chance came seven minutes into the second half, when Paul Whalley played a ball through traffic to the feet of Santino Mazza just outside the goalkeeper's box, but the Raiders' goalkeeper Noah Horn came sliding out to challenge and made the save.

Rivier's best chance in the second half came on a long shot from Jose Ochoa that deflected off the cross bar.

Rivier took 20 total shots to the Owls 14, and had a slight 8-7 margin in shots on goal. The Raiders generated nine corner kicks to Westfield's five.

Noah Horn finished with nine saves for the Raiders, while Luke Theroux and Drew Adams split the game in goal for the Owls, each making four saves.

Westfield got a good chance with 16 minutes left in the first half when the Owls were able to isolate Devonte Livramento 1-on-1 after a free kick, bit a good challenge from Horn stymied the scoring chance.  

Rivier's Thomas Lanzillo ripped a high shot with 3:22 left in the first half that Theroux tipped over the top of the net to keep the scoreboard blank at the half.

Westfield will next be in action on Friday, September 15, when the Owls open conference play at Mass Maritime Academy.