By Adam Levine
Sports Editor
The Framingham State Rams defeated the Westfield State Owls 2-1 in an overtime MASCAC matchup at the Maple Street Field Oct. 7.
Westfield scored with fewer than two minutes remaining in the first quarter and took a 1-0 lead.
The Owls’ defense held strong and fended off Framingham’s early second-quarter attacks.
Framingham’s Ashley Malmquist took a shot, but Westfield’s goalie made the save.
Just seconds after Malmquist’s attempt, Ram Kaylee Beck scored to tie the game.
Beck scored with fewer than three minutes left of the half.
She said, “It hyped me up. It definitely hyped me up.”
This marked her third consecutive game scoring a goal. She said, “I’m feeling really proud of myself, to be honest.
“I feel like this year, I'm really starting to get the hang of it. I feel like that's really starting to reflect on the scoreboard,” she added.
Neither team scored during the second half of the game.
Only six shots were taken during the third quarter - four by Westfield and two by Framingham.
The fourth quarter contained less action. Malmquist took the only shot during the quarter from either team, which Westfield’s goalie ultimately saved.
The Rams entered the seven-on-seven-style sudden victory overtime for the third time this season. Both of the previous times, they left with a win.
Overtime began slowly, but Westfield’s offense began to gain ground.
Then, Framingham’s Angie Serra made a defensive stop and shifted the momentum toward the Rams’ offense.
Beck took the first shot against Westfield’s goalie, which was saved.
Less than thirty seconds later, Malmquist lined up for a penalty corner to end the game.
The corner led to Serra, assisted by Malmquist, scoring the game-winning goal.
Serra said, “I feel great about it.”
She added it is about the intensity and momentum starting from the backfield and going all the way up the field.
Serra said, “It’s just such a great team win.”
Malmquist, who assisted on the game-winning goal, earned MASCAC Rookie of the Week on Oct. 9.
She said, “I think because of the team, I'm able to get more confident on the field and grow stronger as a player individually.”
The Rams’ game was dedicated as their Mental Health Awareness game.
Beck said the importance of the game is “just playing for a bigger cause.”
She said the goal of the game is to work to “end the stigma” surrounding mental health.
Beck said, “I think everyone really represented that passion - that we want to be kind to everyone today.”
As of press time, Oct. 12, the Rams lost to Fitchburg State 3-2 in another MASCAC matchup.
Malmquist scored in the opening seven minutes and the Rams took a quick 1-0 lead.
Over the next three quarters, Fitchburg responded with three goals of their own and held a 3-1 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Beck, assisted by Serra and Brandi Core, scored with eight minutes left of play.
Beck scored a goal in all of Framingham’s last four games and scored in five out of the past six.
The Rams now hold a record of 6-6 and a MASCAC record of 3-3.
Framingham hosts Salem State for another MASCAC matchup Oct. 14.