10/29/2008
Trobagis' Early Goal Lifts Men's Soccer Past Framingham State

WORCESTER, MASS. 10/29/08 - The Clark University men's soccer team came away victorious in a non-conference match-up against Framingham State College, 1-0, on Wednesday at Granger Field. A goal from Mike Trobagis (Acton, MA) and another solid effort from goalie Peter Wise (Providence, RI) led the Cougars past the Rams.

Both squads came off the opening whistle aggressively, firing a combined 12 shots at the net. Framingham started the game with a brilliant scoring chance when a corner kick sailed over the head of Clarks Wise and landed in the middle of a mob of Clark defenders and Framingham attackers. The ball stayed out of the net and nothing came of Framinghams opening volley.

Clark struck first at 21:30 when Trobagis netted his fourth goal of the season. The goal was thanks to a corner kick from Devin Weafer (Carmel, NY), which found the foot of teammate Baran Doenmez (Dublin, N.H.) who fired a shot at net. Doenmez's shot was blocked but he got the rebound and carried the ball towards the end line, where he passed it back to the center of the Framingham box to Trobagis. Trobagis only had to redirect the pass past the dive of Rams keeper Greg Halle (Beverly, MA) to put the Cougars up 1-0.

Framingham responded with pressure and physical play, putting the Cougars on the defensive. After a Clark foul the Rams played a quick free kick and midfielder Mike Jones (Norwood, MA) broke down the flank behind the Clark defenders. His crossing pass found Derek Pingitore (Aubrun, MA), who was denied by a sprawling Wise at 41:22.

Wise was later replaced by Baran Canserver (Southboro, Mass.) after taking a shot to the face in the 24th minute. Making just his second appearance of the year, Canserver did not face a shot in the 8:39 between the pipes.

In the second half, the Rams continued where they left off in the closing minutes of the opening frame. They had several chances to tie the game, their best coming in the 65th minute when a loose ball got past Wise and danced along the goal line before being cleared by the Clark defense.

Despite the Framingham pressure, the Clark defenders were able to keep them out of the net and launch counter attacks of their own. In the 87th minute, Doenmez broke into the Rams half of the field and was taken down from behind, giving him a free kick deep in visitor territory. He played his chance for an insurance marker well, but netminder Greg Halle (Beverly, MA) punched it off the crossbar and held onto it to make it interesting. Framingham continued to press in the closing moments of the game but was unable to find the equalizer.

Clark had a 16-13 advantage in shots and an 8-6 margin on corner kicks.

Wise finished with three saves for Clark. Halle was credited with six stops for Framingham.

Clark, which sits seventh in New England by the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) poll, improves to 11-3-2 on the season and will prepare to host a New England Womens and Mens Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) quarterfinal round game on Wednesday November 5, opponent and time to be determined. Also receiving votes in the NSCAA New England poll, Framingham falls to 13-3-1 on the season and will host Fitchburg State on Saturday (Noon) in their regular season finale.

By: Chris Wiklund, Sports Information Intern