Muratsuka Nets Late Game-Winner, Owls Defeat Spartans 1-0

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Senior forward Kiana Muratsuka (Wahiawa, Hawaii) scored the game-winning goal with 4:16 remaining in the match as Westfield State defeated Vermont State Castleton 1-0 in a non-conference game from Alumni Field on Tuesday night.

The Owls move to 4-4-4 on the season while the Spartans fall to 5-7 overall.

With Westfield trending towards a fifth draw on the season, Muratsuka delivered in a late spot. The play was set up by first-year Liv DeMember (West Boylston, Mass.) who won the ball near the corner flag and stayed in bounds, possessing the ball in towards the net. She then passed the ball into the middle of the box to Muratsuka who fired a low shot that got past the diving Emma Ezzo (West Haven, Vt.) for the lone goal of the match.

The Owls had several scoring opportunities prior to the Muratsuka goal, including a near conversion by DeMember with 34 minutes left in the second half but a spectacular diving stop by Ezzo kept the game scoreless.

Morgan Berthiaume (Webster, Mass.) also had an opportunity with about 19 to play, collecting a pass from Muratsuka before launching a shot towards goal that was saved by Ezzo.

In the first half, the Owls attempted seven corner kicks. With 17 minutes remaining in the half, Muratsuka nearly found the back of the net on a left footed shot from 15 yards out, forcing Ezzo to make a diving save to her left.

With 10:30 left in the first, Emily Ottomaniello (Agawam, Mass.) delivered a throw in up the sideline towards the end line which was tracked down by DeMember who directed a tight angled shot at the goal which was also saved by Ezzo.

A defensive miscue for the Owls gave Castleton a high danger chance with six minutes left in the opening period as Maggie McKearin (Proctor, Vt.) intercepted a pass with her shot from the top of the penalty area sailing just high over the bar.

Westfield held a sizeable 26-9 shots advantage but were unable to capitalize on waves of chances due to the play in net from Ezzo who made 11 saves for the Spartans on the night. Julia Robak (Chicopee, Mass.) collected four saves to secure the shutout, making a timely save after the goal from Muratsuka by stopping a shot from Chloe Green (Canterbury, Conn.) with 3:18 left in regulation.

Westfield State will be on the road for their next match on Saturday as the Owls (3-0-1 MASCAC) face Worcester State (5-0 MASCAC) at 4:00 P.M.