CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley University's Erik Johansen (West Harrison, N.Y.) buried a pair of free kicks to propel the Lynx to their third straight victory with a 2-1 triumph over Fitchburg State University tonight in non-conference action at Edward Field. Lesley improves to 5-4-3 on the year with the win while Fitchburg falls to 5-6-0 in 2014.
Johansen opened the scoring in the first half when his free kick deflected off the human wall in front of him and ricocheted into the top right corner of the night to give the Lynx a 1-0 lead. The advantage did not last long, however, as Falcons freshman Kevin Aldrovandi (Carver, Mass.) matched Johansen with a free kick goal of his own less than two minutes later. Aldrovandi sent a towering shot from 35 yards out beyond the left side of the box that sailed into the far corner for the Lynx goal to even things at 1-1.
The score would remain at 1-1 until Johansen connected for his second tally of the game in the 88th minute of play for the game-winner. Once again, Johansen's ball did not take a straight path to the goal as his blast clanged off the nearside post and trickled into the net. The sophomore has now scored five goals in his last four games played.
The Lynx nearly got on the board in the 6th minute of play as junior Ryan Richardson (Santa Barbara, Calif.) one-timed a volley with a right-footed attempt from twelve yards out, but Falcons keeper Aidan Hanratty (E. Bridgewater, Mass.) reacted quickly and punched the ball over the net for the save. Hanratty was forced to make his second of four stops on the night on the ensuing Lesley corner kick as he corralled a shot from Lynx junior Spencer Irwin (Somers, N.Y.) to keep the match scoreless.
Lesley outshot the guests by a 9-5 margin and held a distinct 6-1 edge in corner kick opportunities on the evening.
The Lynx will be back in action on Tuesday, October 14th as they travel to Newbury College to take on the Nighthawks in New England Collegiate Conference action at 3:00p while the Falcons will head to Bridgewater State University on Saturday for a match at 12:00p.