Vikings Lose Home Opener

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

Salem, Mass. --  The Gulls shutout the Vikings 8-0 in a Labor Day match-up at Alumni Field. Maddy Dangler (Winchester, Mass.) and Kathleen Reissfelder (Westwood, Mass.) each recorded two-goals apiece. Endicott improves to 1-1 on the season while the Vikings stumble to 0-2.  

Before the game coach Atkinson talked about if she expected a large crowd for the home opener. "Endicott has a whole army right know but we also have a lot of our family and friends too, so I think it going to be a good turnout."  

The Gulls were attacking the zone to begin the game as they were putting pressure on the Vikings' defense for the first six minutes. However, Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass) almost notched the first goal of the game for Salem State that just missed. Later in the period, with 45.5 second remaining the Gulls' Maghan Lehouiller (Colchester, Vt.) took a penalty shot which was denied by Izzy Mosley (Middleborough, Mass.) as the game remained scoreless heading into the second period.  

After the game coach Atkinson talked about the first quarter and playing a strong 15 minutes of field hockey. "Yes, I was so happy going 0-0 against Endicott for 15 minutes. Our biggest issue was we couldn't sustain that energy after the first quarter. As happy as I was for a quarter, if we can't sustain it, it means nothing." 

The first 5:33 into the second quarter the Gulls scored three times. Maddy Dangler (Winchester, Mass) scored on an assist from Jenna Seibold (Reading, Mass.), Dangler picked up her second goal of the game off an assist from Tori Swanson (Farmington, Connecticut), Swanson extended the Gulls' lead in the period to 3-0. 

Hannah Cochran (Marshfield,Mass.) talked about the second period after the game. "As soon as they scored, we started to give up on ourselves. I think our attitude was we weren't playing as a team, getting frustrated with each other instead of bouncing back. That is what we have to work on."  

A defensive save from Stephanie Santorella (Danvers, Mass.) prevented the Gulls from increasing their lead with 4:40 remaining in the period. 

The Vikings were down by three at the half as the Gulls held a commanding 3-0 lead.  Mosley saved six of the nine attempts during the half.  

The Vikings were looking to regroup, but unfortunately Endicott wouldn't allow that to happen as Reissfelder scored the next two Endicott Gulls.  Jenna Seibold (Reading, Mass.) added another score as the Vikings allowed four goals in the third quarter.

Reagan Hicks (Barnstable, Mass.) capped the scoring for Endicott with a goal early in the fourth.  

The Vikings will travel on the road as they will take on Saint Joseph (Conn.). Game time is 6:00 p.m.