Salem, MA --- Salem State and Worcester State battled to a 2-2 tie in a key MASCAC women's soccer matchup this afternoon at Alumni Field. 

The Vikings (6-5-2, 1-2-2 MASCAC) netted a late marker to salvage the draw while junior Gaby Gonet (Agawam, MA) led the way for Worcester State (5-6-1, 3-1-1 MASCAC) with a pair of markers. 

The game started quickly when sophomore Therese Morss (Marion, MA) broke free on a break-away, but her kick from 10 yards out caught the crossbar and went out of bounds. 

Junior Casey Connolly (Nahant, MA) put Salem State on the board first when she directed a pass from classmate Veronica Porier (Newburyport, MA) into the back of the net at the 9:59 mark. 

The Blue and Gold answered and struck back when Gonet scored on a cross from senior Brianne Beckman (Lakeville, MA) in the 20th minute.

Later Gonet put the Lancers on top when she fired in a penalty kick to give Worcester State a 2-1 lead going into the half.

The Lancers had an opportunity to increase their lead to two goals in the second half when the ball rolled freely in front of the Lady Vikings net midway through the period, but no one was able to connect. 

Later freshman goalie Mia Koutoulas (Danvers, MA) preserved the lead for Worcester State with fourteen minutes left when she made a fingertip save of Amy Griffith's (Middleton, MA) shot on net from 15 yards out. 

The Lancers looked like they would hold the lead, but with three minutes left, sophomore CeCelia-Crista Devine (Saugus, MA) put the ball into the upper right corner of the net off an assist from Connolly to tie the contest after Griffith made an outstanding play on a loose ball to set up the game-tying score.

In the first overtime, WSU sophomore Shelby Archer (Leicester, MA) almost won it for her team, but her shot hit off the crossbar and the score remained tied going into the second overtime period. 

Neither team had any good opportunities in the second extra session. 

Salem State freshman goaltender Rachel Ledbetter (Dracut, MA) had four saves in the game while Koutoulas stopped six shots for the Lancers.

The Vikings held an advantage in shots (17-13) and corners, 4-1.

Both squads entertain opponents at home in their next contest. Worcester State hosts Plymouth State on Monday at 7 PM while SSU takes on Mass Maritime at 12 PM on Saturday.

Major Portions of Release Courtesy of Salem State Sports Information