Men’s Soccer falls to Salem State 3-1 on Senior Night
North Adams, MA- Salem State's Gabriel DaSilva scored twice leading the Vikings to a 3-1 MASCAC decision over MCLA tonight at Shewcraft Field. With the win Salem State improves to 10-4-2 (4-1-1 MASCAC) while the Trailblazers fall to 5-8-1 (2-3-1 MASCAC).
Salem State would take an early lead in this one in the 9th minute as Gabriel DaSilva found the ball at his feet following a collision just outside the box. The first year was able to create some space and place a right-footed shot just inside the lower left corner of the net and just out of reach of a diving Sam Edge. The goal was the first of DaSilva's career and would put the Vikings up 1-0.
MCLA would respond however just over five minutes later when sophomore Marcos Lopez (Albany, NY) rushed the last Salem State defender jarring the ball loose for first year teammate Jacob Malburg (Amesbury, MA). Malburg was able to pick his spot and blast a shot past Viking keeper Matt Hauntsman to even the match at 1-1.
The teams would go into the half tied but Salem State would retake the lead on a Brendan Davis header off a Michael Flynn cross in the 49th minute.
With only three minutes it appeared as though another defensive error might cost the Vikings a second goal when Lopez again would make a play, and this time send in senior Wesley Call (Ashby, MA) on the left side. From a tough angle however, Call wasn't able to get enough steam on his shot and Hauntsman was able to make the stop.
Less than a minute later another Michael Flynn cross would find a teammate, this time DaSilva, who scored his second of the night to give Salem State a 3-1 lead and put the match away.
Viking goalkeeper Matt Hauntsman would stop 5 MCLA shots and earn the win improving to 9-3-1 on the season. MCLA keeper Sam Edge (Williamstown, MA) made 5 saves but took the loss falling to 4-7-1.
Salem State had decisive advantages in both shots (21-10) and corner kicks (7-1).
Four MCLA seniors, Paolo Kareh (Adams, MA), Max Whalen (Pittsfield, MA), Wesley Call (Ashby, MA) and Sam Edge (Williamstown, MA) were honored before the match.
Salem State is off until Saturday, October 29th when it wraps up its regular season at Westfield State. MCLA is back in action Tuesday at 3:30pm when it hosts nonconference opponent Eastern Connecticut State University at Shewcraft Field.