PIONEERS REMAIN IN THIRD PLACE WITH HARD FOUGHT TIE
Western Mass, New Hampshire renew rivalry, play to stalemate
The New Hampshire Phantoms returned to Lusitano Stadium for the first time since 2007, earning a point in the 1-1 tie with host Western Mass. New Hampshire had made the jump to the PDL Division in 2008, thereby putting a hold on the long time heated rivalry, as the Pioneers remained in the USL-2 Pro Division.
The opening minutes were played in monsoon like conditions as the skies opened up nearly on cue with the referee's opening whistle. Early play was adventurous in the incredible driving rain and blowing wind.
New Hampshire would draw first blood when forward Marc Djessouho found himself unchallenged thirty yards from the Pioneers goal. He wasted no time in launching a bullet into the upper right hand corner at the 15 minute mark to give the visitors the lead. Pioneers goalie Shane Curran Hays diving attempt at the save just missed. That would be the only one to get past him on the night as he was spectacular the rest of the way.
As the rain tapered off midway through the first half, the Pioneers would carry the play, creating good chances to find the equalizer. Co-captain Federico Molinari would be the man to find the back of the New Hampshire goal in the 34th minute of action. Teammate Robert Cavener's blocked shot found its way to an unmarked Molinari to the left of the Phantom's goal. Molinari's left footed shot was kept low and out of the reach of Phantom's goalie Larry Pokrywa, knotting the score 1-1.
The second half started with Pioneers substituting in Ludlow's Mike Lima and Patrick Boucher (University of Hartford). The team would continue to push forward looking for the lead. The Pioneers nearly got caught on a Phantom's counter attack, with former Amherst High School star Evan Coleman coming to the rescue with a head ball clearance off the goaline. Western Mass would rack up four corner kicks in the second half, unable to get on the end of any to beat Pokrywa.
The closing minutes were frantic as Western Mass was going all out looking for the valuable three point win. Cavener sidestepped a defender at the eighteen yard mark, hit a steaming left footed shot the was on its way to the upper left hand corner, only to be tipped into the crossbar by Pokrywa.
The closing moments of play saw two mad scrambles in the Phantom goal box that were cleared out of danger. Wilbraham's Greg Balicki would find himself all alone five yards from goal, tipping the ball over the crossbar two seconds from the final whistle.
The tie keeps Western Mass in third place in the Northeast Division. The team returns to action with back to back games this coming weekend. The Pioneers will travel to Long Island to take on the second place Rough Riders Saturday night, then entertain the Westchester Flames Sunday at 5pm at Lusitano Stadium. Discount tickets can be purchased at participating Big Y stores.
