WORCESTER, Mass. – A header by sophomore forward Etjon Rapi (Worcester, Mass.) determined the game-winning goal for the Lancers as Worcester State took the 1-0 win over Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opponent, Salem State, Saturday morning on Senior Day.
With the win, the Lancers advance to 6-8-1 (3-3-0 MASCAC), while the Vikings fall to 1-13-0 (1-5-0 MASCAC).
The game began with equal possession of the ball from each team. Not many shots were taken, until Worcester State got up on the board with the Rapi's header. The goal came off of a throw-in by sophomore defender, Matthew Dent (Ludlow, Mass.) on the left side. The ball then bounced around the box until freshman forward Bryan Brasil (Williamsburg, Mass.) tapped the ball towards the goal, and Rapi was there to head the ball, placing it in the top left corner of the net.
Salem State saw a few chances to tie the game up in the first half with 14 minutes left on the clock in the first, as midfielder, Tim Kilpatrick (Anaheim, Calif.) had a free kick off a Worcester State foul. Kiplatrick then placed the ball on goal, only for Worcester State's keeper, Jason Barrett (Spencer, Mass.) to record the save. The Vikings once again had a chance to score with three minutes left on the clock, when senior forward, Conner Erickson (Hubbardston, Mass.) fired the ball from the left side, but hit the crossbar and reflected back out for the Lancers to regain possession.
The Vikings controlled the ball in the second half as the majority time was spent on the Worcester State end. In the 60th minute, Salem State's junior defender, Bruno Comprido (Sao Paulo, Brazil) fired a shot from just under midfield, but the ball was blocked by the Lancers' defensive line. They also had two free kicks on Worcester State's fouls with 10 minutes left of regulation, but the Viking's offense never seemed to be in the right spot at the right time.
Worcester State had an opening to increase their lead on a corner kick where two shots were taken by Dent and sophomore midfielder, Ryan Almeida (Palmer, Mass.), but were unable to get it past the Vikings sophomore net minder, Greg Enos (Peabody, Mass.).
Despite the Viking loss, Salem State held the shot advantage 9-6 throughout the entirety of the game. The teams were even on corner kick opportunities with three apiece.
Worcester State's Barrett recorded the win for the Lancers, as he improves to 5-2-0 on the season, tallying six saves. For the Vikings, Enos took the loss as his record falls to 1-13-0 on the season while marking one save on the morning.
The Lancers will face Bridgewater State next Saturday to close up regular season play. The game is set for a 12:00 p.m. start time.