Framingham, Mass. – October 4, 2011 – The Springfield College men’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season at Framingham State on Tuesday as the Rams used a second half goal to defeat the Pride 1-0 at FraminghamÂ's Maple Street Field.   

With the win, the Rams improve to 4-5-1 on the season, while the loss snaps a nine game unbeaten streak for the Pride who now sit at 6-1-3 on the year.

Both teams had opportunities to take the lead in the first half, but neither could find the back of the net.  Just under three minutes into the game, FSU sophomore Ronaldo Vieira was open just outside the box and fired a shot on net that sailed just high of the crossbar.  Seven minutes later, Vieira had another opportunity as he sent a header at the net that was just wide.

The Pride had their best chances to score later in the half.  Freshman Mike Desroches got behind the Rams defense and was one on one with Ram goalkeeper Billy Levitsky, who had ventured way off his line.  Desroches beat Levitsky and had a clean look at the goal, but his shot hit the post and bounced out of bounds.

Later in the half on a similar play, freshman Kevin Nowak had a chance to connect on the gameÂ's first goal, but Levitsky came off his line and made a diving save on NowakÂ's bid sending the game into the break scoreless.

The Rams stuck first just over ten minutes into the second half when they had back to back corners.  On the second corner, freshman Bryan DaSilva sent the ball in front of the goal and classmate Cory Cardeiro came streaking in alone from the top of the box and headed the ball into the back of the net.

Springfield had several chances to tie the game in the final ten minutes as sophomore Drew VanasseÂ's had two good looks at the net, but Levitsky came up with a big save on one and VanasseÂ's header off a corner was just off the mark on the other.

Levitsky finished the game with four saves and picked up his first shutout of the season, while freshman Brett Bascom made four stops for the Pride in a loss.

The Pride will look to get back on the winning track on Saturday afternoon as it hosts Clark at 12:00 pm in a key New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) contest.