Hydra Draw Pioneers 1-1

The Worcester Hydra took a 1-0 lead into halftime, but was unable to hold it as the Western Mass Pioneers knotted the score early in the second half and the two sides finished in a 1-1 draw at Commerce Bank Field at Foley Stadium on Wednesday night.

The draw pushed Worcester (2-2-2, 8 points) into a tie for fourth place in the PDL Northeast Division with Connecticut Football Club Azul. Western Mass (1-2-2, 5 points), meanwhile, took over sole possession of sixth place.

UMass Lowell’s Bruno Bonicontro opened the scoring for the Hydra in the 34th minute, slotting in a rebound after goalkeeper Warren Gross saved a shot from Ambry Moss. The goal was Bonicontro’s first of the season and the first for Worcester by any player other than Brazilian Junior Alencar, who missed the match dude to suspension.

But while the Hydra was able to hold their lead into halftime, it didn’t last long after that. Nine minutes into the second half Pat Ryan finished off a corner kick from Sam DeMello to knot the score at 1-1.

Hydra ‘keeper Jose Silva made four saves in the draw, while Gross made five saves for the Pioneers.

Worcester returns to action on Saturday, June 9, traveling to Willowbrook Park in New Britain, CT, to face CFC Azul at 7:30 p.m. The Pioneers return home to face CFC Azul on Friday, June 8, at 7:30 p.m.