Worcester, MA- In the opening round of MASCAC Quarterfinal action the #4 seeded Worcester State Lancers (4-9-3, 2-2-3) welcome to Coughlin Field for the first time this season the #5 seeded Salem State Vikings (5-7-5, 2-3-2). In their previous meeting on October 26th, Worcester State and Salem ended the game tied 3-3 in Salem after the Lancers jumped out to an early lead that was quickly settled into equal action by the Vikings. 

Final

Salem State: 3

Worcester State: 1

How it Happened:

The first half of the MASCAC Quarterfinal saw two teams fired up and ready to hit the turf with determination.  Salem State's offense came out strong with eight shots in the half but Worcester's defense was able to hold their ground for more than half of the first half behind sophomore Tobias Schneider (Hudson, WI). IN the 28' minute the Vikings would grab the opening goal of the match off  a great pass from senior Alex Ixlaj-Tello (Lynn, MA) to senior Vanilton Xavier (Brockton, MA) who was able to head the ball into the net just over the arms of Schnieder to settle the score at 1-0. to the second half 1-0. Worcester recorded two late corner chances to close out the first half but the Viking keeper senior Erik Berg (Hadley, MA) would cover the expanse and keep the Lancers off the board. 

Both teams would come out with fire again in the second half, but Worcester would appear to be on a mission to tie the match. After a great fight in front of Salem's net, junior Wilber Garcia (Bilbao, Spain) would connect for a shot that deflected off a defender sending the ball soaring into the net, tying up the score early in the second half 1-1. Salem, matching the Lancer energy, would find Xavier scoring his second goal of the game off a midfield breakthrough of the Lancer defensive line, sending them into the lead 2-1. Salem looked to further their lead when they were awarded a penalty shot advantage that first year Naderson Curtis (Manchester, MA) successfully took furthering their lead 3-1. Worcester put up a great offensive fight late in the half in a bid to get back into the action but Salem's goalkeeper Berg had an even bigger presence in the game, seemingly everywhere as he prevented the Lancer offense from finding success, allowing the Vikings to claim the 3-1 victory and advancement into the MASCAC Semifinals. 

Berg would claim 11 saves on the night while Schneider would wrap up the night with 4.

What's Next:

With the win Salem State will now journey to either Bridgewater State or Westfield State. Bridgewater State will host the lowest remaining seed at 3:30pm, while Westfield State will host the highest remaining at 7pm.