Massasoit Controls CCRI In 2-0 Victory

BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The Massasoit men's soccer team took care of business against divisional foe CCRI, 2-0, in dominant fashion on Wednesday afternoon at Warrior Field.

Tied 0-0 at the half, Massasoit (2-1) received two second-half goals from Fabio Cula (Brockton) who was set up on each score by Stephan Teixeira (Brockton).

"The team played extremely well today," Massasoit head coach Rui Estrela said. "They realized how important this game was for us being our first regionally game. They came out and performed. That last finish, that last touch is something we need to work on. I thought we could have been up three or four to nothing in the first five minutes of the match."

WHY MASSASOIT WON: The Warriors held control of the game throughout the entirety. The team showcased patience and dominated possession, which turned into plenty of scoring opportunities.

On the defensive end the Warriors were stout, giving the visitors seldom options to even get shots off.

WHEN THE GAME CHANGED: The game was scoreless at half, despite Massasoit outshooting CCRI 12-1 in the opening stanza. In the 53^rd minute of action, Teixeira fired a cross from the left corner and Fabio Cula headed in the pass for the game's first goal.

DUO DOES IT AGAIN: After Massasoit finally broke through with the first goal, the duo of Fabio Cula and Teixeira struck again in the 61^st minute. This time Cula volleyed a pass from Teixeira by the keeper inside the goalie box to round out the scoring for the Warriors.

BACK LINE SHINES: Defensively Massasoit was a wall against the Knights, surrendering only three total shots and only one on goal. The play of Flavio Cula (Brockton), Julio Gomes (Brockton), Will Baah (Fall River), Adilson DaRosa (Quincy) along with keeper Andre Reis (Fall River) impressed Estrela in the victory.

"I think our back line is one of the best back lines in the nation," Estrela said. "They are just so fast and physical. Once they start clearing up some of those little mistakes that they make, they are going to be really, really tough to beat. All four guys are really solid defenders and I'm really confident in them."

PHYSICAL FOES: Divisional rival CCRI was whistled for 15 fouls, 10 coming in the first half and two yellow cards. Massasoit was called on seven fouls for the match.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: Massasoit outshot CCRI 31 to three in the game. Of Massasoit's 31 shots, 11 came on goal.

NEXT UP: Massasoit will play a pair of games over the weekend. First up is a match at Monroe CC on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Warriors will then face off vs. the Williams College JV squad on Sunday at 11 a.m.