Worcester, MA --- A free-kick goal in the 54th minute by freshman Katelyn Krish (Rockland, MA) gave Salem State the 1-0 victory over Worcester State in MASCAC women's soccer action this morning at Coughlin Field. 

With the win the Vikings improve to 6-6-3 and earn their first conference triumph of the season (1-3-2) while the Lancers fall to 10-4-1 and drop to 4-2 in league play.

Krish's third tally of the year came 20-yards away in the middle of the field. The marker itself was a rare occurrence as she launched the ball, while the Lancer defense was setting up, without the benefit of ten yards of breathing room.  

After the goal, Worcester State went on the offensive as they would post a commanding 14-0 lead in shots and the backfield would hold the Vikings without a clean opportunity to score for the remainder of the contest.

Late in the game junior Brianne Beckman (Lakeville, MA) made a bid in the 73rd minute that went just to the right of the goal and senior Nikki Scott (Berlin, MA) connected with a header from a corner kick with six minutes remaining that also went right.

Fourth-year Leah Potcner (Wilmington, MA) was superb in her fifth shutout of the season as she stopped all ten shots – including six in the second stanza. Senior Angieszaka Sychtysz (Warren, MA) was only called upon to make one save for WSU.

The Blue and Gold would finish with a 20-4 edge in shots and a 5-0 advantage in corner kicks.

In a brief pregame ceremony, Scott, Sychtysz and classmates Danielle Clifford (Attleboro, MA), Sarah Rafferty (Uxbridge, MA) and Christina Vernaci (Saugus, MA) were honored on "Senior Day" for playing in their last home regular season game.

Both squads will play non-conference opponents in the next week. Worcester State travels to UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday for a 3:30 contest while the Vikings will entertain regionally-ranked Wheaton on Wednesday at 7 PM.