SALEM – George Zuleta (Lowell, Mass.) converted a penalty-kick in the 67th minute to lift Salem State to a hard fought 1-0 victory over Wheaton on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Vikings raise their record to 2-0 while the Lyons suffer their first defeat on the year (1-1).
Wheaton controlled the tempo to open the second half, outshooting Salem State 19-7 in the period, as Robert Lloyd (Lexington, Mass.) and Gavin Mahoney (Carlsbad, Calif.) each just missed the net early in the half.
However, Salem State’s Walaeddine Hounane (Salem, N.H.) caught Wheaton’s keeper too far out, but Hounane ‘s shot went just wide of the open net, keeping the game scoreless. Building on that momentum, the Vikings’ offense began to pressure Wheaton midway through the half, as Zuleta, who got behind the Lyon’s defense, was tackled, setting up the senior for the game-winner.
Salem State’s Matt Hauntsman (Milford, N.H.) made two outstanding saves late, robbing Daniel Medina (Yonkers, N.Y.) in the 79th minute and stopping Alasdair Ferrier (Concord, N.H.) from point-blank range in the 86th minute, to preserve the 1-0 lead.
The Lyons outshot the Vikings 5-1 in the opening half, including 27-12 for the game, as Wheaton’s Luke Strange (Portland, Ore.) had the best scoring opportunity in the first period, narrowly giving the Lyons the lead, as his attempt hit the top of the crossbar in the 27th minute.
Hauntsman finished with 15 saves in the win while his counterpart Cam Millington (Fairfield, Conn.) stopped five shots for Wheaton in the loss. (Details on Friday’s win are posted below)
Game Report from Friday Night’s Game
SALEM – Salem State Men’s Soccer started their 2022 campaign this evening when they welcomed Lasell College from Newton, Massachusetts. The Vikings secured their first win of the season after responding with 3 unanswered goals to take the 3-1 victory over the Lasers.
Brendan Walsh (Westford, Mass.), Dylan Senra (Dartmouth, Mass.), and Patrick Filetti (Newburyport, Mass.) each netted one goal apiece for the Vikings, while Walsh also added in a helper in the victory.
After being denied twice by Viking’s keeper, Matt Hauntsman (Milford, N.H.), the Lasers were able to draw first blood after Elisio Nascimento (Pawtucket, R.I.) converted a free kick to give his team the 1-0 advantage with 21 minutes to play in the half. The Vikings answered back when Brendan Walsh found the back of the net evening the score at one, which would last through the half.
The Vikings started the second half strong when senior captain Dylan Senra snuck one past the Laser’s goalie in the opening minute to give Salem State a slight edge. Teammate Patrick Filetti got in on the fun when he netted one of his own off a pass from Walsh, to give the Vikings the 3-1 tilt with 25 minutes to play. This would prove to be enough, as the Vikings went on to take the 3-1 victory over the Lasers.
Hauntsman ended with 5 saves while his counterpart Antonio Centracchi (Springfield, Mass.) stopped 12 shots. Salem State finished the game with a 19-7 lead in shots and a 10-1 advantage in corners.
