Worcester, MA --- Senior Brendan Whitson (Auburn, MA) had a hand in both scores for Worcester State with one goal and an assist as the Lancers defeated Salem State, 2-0, in MASCAC men's soccer action this evening at Coughlin Field.
Worcester State (7-3-4, 4-0-1 MASCAC) got on the board early when senior Derek Alves (Ludlow, MA) sent a deep ball over the top of the defense to a streaking Whitson on the left side. Whitson was able to race past a defender and beat the goalie bottom right for the 1-0 advantage in the 12th minute.
The Lancers grabbed a two-goal edge when Whitson broke free up the left side and sent a cross out in front of the net to classmate Brian Cormier (Hudson, MA) who came racing up the right side and deposited the ball in the back of the net in the 16th minute.
After a slow start to the second stanza Salem State (1-12, 1-4 MASCAC) tried cutting the deficit in half off a free kick from 25 yards out.
Third-year Max Mondestin (Salem, MA) laced a shot off the wall of defenders that bounced directly to sophomore Tim Kilpatrick (Anaheim, CA) on the right side of the box but his blast was smothered by WSU second-year keeper Nick Zucco (Ludlow, MA) to preserve the lead in the 83rd minute.
The Blue and Gold almost put the game completely out of reach in the 87th minute off a beautiful corner kick by Cormier but Alves' header attempt sailed just high and the score remained 2-0.
Worcester State held the advantage in shots 19-9 (6-4 on goal) and corner kicks 4-3.
Zucco was brilliant in net once again stopping all four shots he faced to collect his fifth shutout on the year and second in a row. Salem State junior Nondas Kargakis (Heraklion, Greece) also collected four saves in the set back.
The Lancers return to action on Friday night as they host Westfield State at 7 PM to kick off Homecoming weekend at WSU, while the Vikings return home to face-off with Fitchburg State next Saturday at 2:30 PM.
Story By John Hanna --- Sports Information Graduate Assistant
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