Westfield, Mass. – Sophomore Jared Spicer (Carver, Mass.) headed in a throw-in from junior Justin Laliberte (Easthampton, Mass.) to give the Westfield State University Owls a 2-1 double overtime victory over the visiting Trinity College Bantams in men's soccer action this evening on Alumni Field.  Trinity drops to 4-4 with its first loss in three games, while the Owls improve to 8-3 with their second win in a row.

Trinity took a 1-0 lead in the 49th minute on a goal by freshman forward Julian Gocksch (Centerport, N.Y.) following a corner kick by sophomore midfielder Anthony El-Hachem (Vernon, Conn.). Gocksch settled the ball at the six then blasted it inside the left post.  Westfield knotted the score in the 78th minute on an unassisted goal by junior Tim Parsons (Buzzards Bay, Mass.). With his back to the goal and defender closely guarding him from behind, Parsons quickly pivoted and blasted a wicked shot the crossbar from the 14.  Trinity junior forward Chris Binnie (Kingston, Jamaica) had a late one-on-one chance against Owl goalie Jeff Pepoli (Ashburnham, Mass.) but was stopped before he could get off a shot.

Both teams had overtime opportunities. Owls sophomore John Principato (Stoneham, Mass.) found himself wide open in front of the net but his off balance shot went high over the crossbar. Trinity freshman Will Stankiewecz (Townsend, Mass.) nearly ended the game in the 103rd minute but his shot from 25 yards was just wide left.  Spicer's game-winner came with 4:07 remaining in the second overtime. Laliberte whipped the ball from the far sidelines to inside the box where Spicer headed it inside the left post on a beautifully executed play.

Westfield outshot Trinity 16-12, including a 13-6 edge in the second half and overtimes. Pepoli made two saves and junior Grant Schonberg (Mendham, N.J.) had six stops in goal for the Bantams.

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