Salem, MA --- Salem State sophomore Saimir Zepaj (Peabody, MA) netted game-winning goal with 6:32 remaining in overtime to help send the second-seeded Vikings to their third-straight MASCAC Men's Soccer Tournament finals in a 1-0 triumph over #3 Worcester State this afternoon.

SSU (12-6) earns their sixth consecutive victory as they move to play at top-seed Framingham State on Saturday at 1 PM in the championship. The Rams defeated #4 Westfield State in a wild 4-3 affair earlier today.

The Lancers, who made their first MASCAC Tournament appearance since 2007, will await word on a possible ECAC bid. Should they not get the call on Monday, they will finish their season at 8-8-2.

Salem State peppered Worcester State senior goalie Evan Wilga (Dudley, MA) relentlessly after halftime trying to secure the win. Wilga made several outstanding saves to keep the Lancers in the game as the Vikings outshot their opponent 22-10, including 12-1 after halftime.

However, it was not until Zepaj found the back of the net in overtime that Salem State finally put away a determined Worcester State team.

Junior Maxime Mondestin (Salem, MA) almost gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead in the opening half in the 10th minute when he fired point-blank from five yards out. However, Wilga was in perfect position to snare the bullet.

Sophomore Brian Cormier (Hudson, MA) appeared to give the Lancers the lead in the 20th minute, but his goal was waived off due to an offsides call.

Mondestin also had another opprtunity at 33:18 but Wilga made another great play to prevent the Vikings from scoring a goal.

Salem State dominated play after halftime. Senior Rafael Santos (East Boston, MA) had two great opportunities to give the Vikings the lead in regulation.

Santos made a nifty move to break free and shot a laser that went just to the right with twenty minutes remaining in the second period. Later he took a pass and juked Lancers' goalie Wilga, who came out to make a play. Santos had a window to sneak the ball into the wide open net, but Wilga did not give up and prevented Santos from taking a clean shot.

The Lancers could never get on the right page in the second half against the conference's top- ranked defense (1.17 GAA - 20 goals allowed).

Wilga, who played tremendously in net was credited with 10 saves for the Lancers. Junior Scott Hall (Waltham, MA) made four saves in the victory for Salem State.

Major Portions of Release Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information