Story written and posted by Anthony Perry '08, Fisher College Assistant Athletic Director/Sports Information

WESTFIELD, MASS. – The Fisher College Men's Soccer team returned to action this evening as they kicked off the 2021 campaign with a road contest at Westfield State University. The Falcons were able to take the early, however two second half goals by the Owls was the difference as Fisher fell 2-1 in a hard fought contest.

The Falcons played a back-and-forth first half with the Owls, with Fisher taking the lead in the 31st minute with a nice passing sequence that ultimately led to a goal from senior Joel Bailey (Derrier, La.). Sophomore Juan Pablo Villalobos (El Paso, Texas) started the play with a pass from the top of the penalty area to the left side, where senior Peter Ruiz (Santa Barbara, Calif.) attacked the net, then sent a low cross to Bailey about six yards out, who one timed the shot to the top of the net. It was Bailey's fourth goal of his career and it gave Fisher a 1-nil advantage they would keep as the horn sounded.

Westfield State tightened up defensively in the second half, which led them to evening the score in the 52nd minute. Freshman Nick Brown (Southwick, Mass.) fed junior Ryan Cassidy (West Springfield, Mass.) for the Owls first goal of 2021. Six minutes later, Westfield took the lead for good, with Jack Kelly playing a short corner kick to Brown, who then beat a group of defenders and fired a cross to classmate Jake Silvestre (Seekonk, Mass.) at the back post for the eventual game-winning goal.

The Owls almost added another goal in the second half as they had a goal called back after the linesman ruled that a cross pass went over the end line before hooking back into play for an Owl's header at the back post.

Senior goalkeeper Rafael Fabra (Sao Paolo, Brazil) made eight saves on the night for the Falcons while counterpart, senior Griffin Brown (Southborough, Mass.) recorded three saves – including a free kick from about 50-yards out as time expired. Total shots were almost even with the Owls holding an 18-17 margin. Both teams had three corner kicks.

Fisher (0-1) will travel to Northern Vermont University-Lyndon on Saturday afternoon, their first of two contests in the Green Mountain state this weekend, in their next scheduled contest. Westfield State (1-0) will travel to Boston for a non-conference affair at Suffolk University on Saturday.

Game Note: This was Head Coach Kyle Yelin's second game as the leader for the Falcons against his alma mater. He is 1-1 against the Owls, with the Falcons earning a forfeit win (after losing 3-0) back in 2019 and then tonight's results.