By Riley Crowell Asst. Sports Editor The Framingham State Rams were defeated by the Wentworth Leopards 4-2 in a non-conference home game Oct. 1. Following this loss, Framingham now holds an overall record of 0-7-2 and a conference record of 0-2. The Rams fell behind from the get-go, conceding a free kick goal in the 4th minute scored by Wentworth’s Vinny Dentrone. In the following minutes, Framingham sophomore Jack Holt and Wentworth’s Alex Burnham both fired shots off the post, keeping the score at 1-0 Wentworth. The Rams mustered 10 shots in the first half, all of which were unable to find the back of the net. Wentworth collected eight shots of their own in the first half, but four saves by Framingham’s freshman goalkeeper Michael Walker kept the game within striking distance. The teams entered halftime with Wentworth leading 1-0. The second half started uneventfully for both the Rams and the Leopards. That would change in the 58th minute, when a shot by Holt that was saved by Wentworth goalkeeper Noah Lawless fell directly to Framingham’s Michael Jokic, who slotted it in the net to tie the game 1-1. This was the second goal of the season for Jokic, a freshman forward, who has started all but one game for the Rams. Framingham Head Coach Adam Gabbard had high praise for Jokic. He said, “He’s a physical player, he’s got some pace to him, and he can play the tactical side of the game. … I’m really happy with what he’s done so far with a very limited time with the group. “We didn’t really know what to expect from him, but he’s done a phenomenal job,” he added. In the 63rd minute, the short-lived stalemate ended when Wentworth’s Carlos Jimenez curled a shot into the top corner over the outstretched hand of Walker, putting the Leopards back in front 2-1. Wentworth’s lead extended to 3-1 in the 73rd minute when Kingston McGee scored a header that was assisted by Dentrone. The Rams answered in the 86th minute with an impressive volley goal scored by junior Gustav Hemmingsen, assisted by sophomore Kaio Santos Da Silva. Framingham battled to find an equalizer. The Rams relentlessly pressured Wentworth, resulting in a scoring chance for Da Silva that was ultimately turned away by Lawless, preserving the Leopards’ 3-2 lead. The Rams’ pressure was broken in the 89th minute by a pass from Burnham that snuck through the Framingham defense, allowing Wentworth’s Sam Wong to tuck away the game-sealing goal for the Leopards. The game concluded with a final score of Wentworth 4, Framingham State 2. Gabbard said, “They played exactly how we expected them to. I think it was just the stuff that we could control that we struggled with. “I think we just made too many mistakes, and they did a good job punishing us,” he added. Senior Captain Bryce Borletto-McCray said, “I’m encouraged by our attacking play, keeping the ball, our build up and press, and competitiveness, but we definitely have to work on keeping the ball out of our net.” The Rams host Bridgewater State in a MASCAC matchup Oct. 5, providing an opportunity for Framingham to get a conference win on the board. Gabbard said, “We’re definitely eager to get our first win. It’s something that our guys are really focusing on.” Borletto-McCray said, “It’s going to be a tough matchup, for sure. They’ve beaten us the past three years in the playoffs, so we’re definitely hungry for a win. “We’re just going to have to come out here and play,” he added. [Editor’s Note: Staff Writer Taylor Kimmell contributed to this article.]