Salem, MA --- Senior Kyle Venne (Ludlow, MA) hit home the game-winning goal in the 80th minute to help pace Worcester State to a 1-0 victory over Salem Stat in MASCAC men's soccer action this afternoon. 

In the victory, the Lancers improved their record to 5-7-2 while also forcing a three-way tie for third place at 2-2-1 in the conference standings. The Vikings fall to 2-10-1 and 2-3 in league play.

It was about an even games as it gets as the squads were equal in shots (7-7) while Worcester State held the 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

Worcester State finally broke the scoreless game though with 10:41 remaining in regulation following a long throw in by freshman Joshua Evans (Springfield, MA/Sabis). Senior Derek Alves (Ludlow, MA) flicked the ball over to Venne, who finished to the back post for his first goal of the campaign.

Senior Emil Dedo (Korca, Albania), who has yielded just one goal between the pipes in his last 335 minutes of action, turned aside five in the victory for the Blue and Gold. Senior Nondas Kargakis (Herakalion, Greece) stopped four in the setback for Salem State.

The Lancers will play again on Wednesday in a home matchup against UMass Boston at 7 o'clock. The Vikings travel to Fitchburg State on Saturday in a 2 PM affair.