THE BASICS 
Lesley University, 3 vs Fitchburg State University, 0

Records: 
FSU Falcons (2-3-1, 0-0 MASCAC)
Lesley University Lynx (1-4, 0-0 NAC)

Location: Lexington, Mass. – Minuteman Field

Date: Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

THE LEAD – In their 2024 home-opener, Lesley University picked up a 3-0 win over Fitchburg State University Saturday afternoon in NCAA Division III men's soccer action at Minuteman Field. The win moves the Lynx to 1-4 overall on the campaign while the loss drops FSU to 2-3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sophomore Osmyn Atwood (New York, N.Y.) opened the scoring in the 24^th minute of action converting a penalty kick to give LU a 1-0 midway through the opening stanza. The score proved to be the game-winner and was Atwood's first collegiate tally.
• The Falcons nearly evened the score minutes later on an attempt by Kaio Fiahlo but LU junior Aidan Stafford (Westford, Mass.) made a goal-line sliding kick save to preserve the one-goal advantage for the hosts.
• With the momentum on its side, Lesley capitalized with its second goal during the 29^th minute of the first half as first year Wassim Chaib (East Boston, Mass.) played a through ball into dangerous Falcon territory to fellow first year Anthony DeNicola (Saunderstown, R.I.). DeNicola took one touch to cut the ball inside his defender and calmly finished for his first collegiate goal to put Lesley ahead 2-0.
• The defensive unit kept the Falcons off the board the remainder of the half, allowing LU to take the two-goal lead into the break, outshooting Fitchburg State in the half 10-7
• The Falcons came out with high energy to open the second but the Lynx absorbed the rush to maintain the multi-goal lead until Chaib put the game out of reach in the 71^st minute with an unassisted score, also the first of his collegiate career to account for the 3-0 final.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Josiah Williams (Durham, N.C.) made eight saves to earned the shutout victory and improve to 1-2 on the year. Speers suffered the setback making four stops for FSU in 45 minutes of action before giving way to Dorian Ramadan who also made four stops in the second half.
• Lesley finished the game outshooting the Falcons 21-20. Fitchburg edged Lesley in corners, 4-2.
• All three Lesley goal scorers recorded their first collegiate goal in the victory.

UP NEXT

• Lesley is back on the pitch tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 15 for a 2:00 PM road contest vs. New England College.
• FSU returns to action on Tuesday, Sept 17 playing host to Curry College at 6:00 PM.