WPI Soccer Topples Anna Maria for Worcester City Crown

Worcester, MA --- Stephen Partridge (Worcester, MA) and Jason Hopkins (Mendon, MA) netted goals 1:17 apart early in the contest to propel host WPI to a 3-0 victory over Anna Maria Sunday afternoon during the second day of the Worcester City Men's Soccer Tournament.

The Engineers claimed the tournament title after Clark defeated Becker 2-1 in dramatic fashion in the nightcap of the tournament. Both WPI and Clark finished the season-opening tournament with 2-0 records with WPI earning the crown by virtue of most goals scored (8-6).

Partridge opened the scoring for WPI in the 13th minute when he headed home a Eric Crevoiserat (Glastonbury, MA) corner kick for his first marker of the season. Hopkins posted his second goal of the year and 15th of his career when he buried a beautiful cross from Chris Ciampa (Danvers, MA) into the bottom right corner.

Joe Rucco (Whitesboro,NY) closed out the scoring for the Engineers when he notched his first career goal at 37:36. The junior poked home a skilled pass by Chris Savoia (Pembroke, MA) to give the Engineers a 3-0 advantage.

Junior Stephen Allen (Pembroke, MA) recorded two saves en route to his first-ever win and shutout in goal. Sean Galligan (Weymouth, MA) helped keep the shutout intact when he cleared a ball off the line midway through the first half.

Anna Maria netminder Jeff Bolton (Williamsburg, VA) made seven saves in a strong effort for the visitors. Justin Hyland (Leicester, MA) and Enco Lika (Worcester, MA) both tallied multiple shots for the AMCATS.

In the day's second match, Adrian Blackadar (Warrick, RI) scored a pair of goals 23 seconds apart in the waning moments to give Clark an improbable come-from-behind victory over Becker.

Trailing 1-0, Clark was awarded a penalty kick with 1:29 remaining for a Becker handball in the box. Blackadar then calmly buried the PK past a sprawled Becker goalkeeper. The Cougars concluded the dramatic triumph when the senior was on the receiving end of a outstanding cross by Kenneth Howard (Longmeadow, MA) with 1:03 left in the game.

After a scoreless first half, Becker seized the lead in the 48th minute when Brian Conway (Billerica, MA) took a feed from Aldo Karkanjozi (Sterling Heights, MI) near the top of the box and buried a shot into the top right of the net for his first goal of the season.

Ryan King (Brimfield, MA) was credited with the win in net for the Cougars. The junior made three saves while improving to 2-0 on the year. Becker goalkeeper Tim McDonald (Holden, MA) recorded six saves for the Hawks, including a point-blank stop just before the end of the first half.

WPI is back in action on Thursday, hosting Elms at 7pm. The three other teams all play again on Wednesday. Anna Maria heads to Salve Regina at 4pm, Becker hosts Mass Maritime at 6pm while Clark hosts Nichols at 7pm.