FITCHBURG, Mass -- The Buccaneers men's soccer team snuck into the playoffs after a huge, two-goal comeback against Worcester State on Saturday. On Tuesday, they faced off with #3 seed Fitchburg State on the road, a team they had lost to 1-0 in the regular season at home. The Bucs held the Falcons at bay early but a goal 15 minutes into the first half, two quick goals in the second half, and a fourth with under 25 minutes left helped the Falcons to a 4-0 victory.

The Basics

Final: Falcons 4, Buccaneers 0

Records: Fitchburg (9-7-3)

               Maritime (3-12-1)

Between The Pipes

Fitchburg: Alexander Carvalho (W, 4-2-2): 12 SOG | 0 GA | 12 SV | 90 Min

Maritime: Preston Joia (L, 3-10-1): 8 SOG | 4 GA | 4 SV | 90 Min

Inside The Numbers

Maritime

• Harry Cooley registered three shots on goal to lead the Bucs in the category. Brody Calvert and Thomas O'Neil each had two.
• In total, Maritime took 22 shots, 12 on target, and had three corner kicks in the match.

Fitchburg

• Ajani Guzman scored a hat trick in the game and added an assist.
• Julian Correa-Estrada scored his first goal of the season.
• William Badger recorded an assist on Guzman's third goal.
• In total, Fitchburg took 12 shots, nine on target, and had four corner kicks, all in the first half.

How It Happened

The Buccaneers had a great chance early with some good passing in the box and a ball that fell to Calvert's right foot that he could not sneak past the keeper. Shortly after, in the 15th minute, Guzman scored his first of the match to put the Falcons up, 1-0. Maritime threatened but the Falcons were able to hold their 1-0 lead for the remainder of the half and led by the same score at the half.

In the second half, Guzman scored his second of the game on the Falcons first possession of the half in the 46th minute to go up 2-0. Shortly after their second goal, Fitchburg added a third in the 52nd minute from Correa-Estrada on an assist from Guzman. Fitchburg led 3-0 with forty minutes left to play. Midway through the second 45, Guzman added his third of the game to run his team out to a 4-0 advantage. The Falcons defense held strong for the remainder of the match and will head to the MASCAC semi-finals after their 4-0 win over Maritime.