Vikings' Rally Falls Short Against Owls

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. -- The Westfield State Owls emerged victorious over the Salem State Vikings in MASCAC action on Saturday at Alumni Field by a score of 3-2. With the win, the Owls improved their record to 10-7, 6-2 while the Vikings fell to 6-8, 3-5.  

The first period was evenly matched, with both teams attacking each other's zones. Mikayla Mason (Beverly, Mass.) of the Vikings took a shot at the goal, but missed as she was looking to score the first goal of the game. In the final minutes of the period, the Vikings were putting pressure on the Owls' defense, but Westfield State kept the score 0-0 in  the first 15 minutes of the game.  

Paige Reisman (Milford, Mass.) of the Owls saved one shot on goal while Izzy Mosley (Middleborough, Mass.) of the Vikings did not face a shot on net.  

In the second period, both teams were looking to get on the scoreboard. In the first two minutes of the period, Mikayla Mason set up Allison Thomas (Carver, Mass.) near the net, but she couldn't put the the shot home. A few minutes later, Aleena Firth (Pepperell, Mass.) set up Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.) with a brilliant pass. Mason shot it, but Reisman blocked it with her left foot. The Owls, finally struck first when Sadie Stauffer (Suffield, Mass.)  shot it inside the net, beating Mosley.    

The Owls took a penalty stroke, and Madison Outlette  (Uxbridge, Mass.) extended the Owls' lead, making it 2-0. The Owls added one more in the period, but the Vikings struck right back 31 seconds later when Melanie Mason continued her hot streak, scoring her fifth goal in the past six games. The Owls had scored three times in a span of a minute and thirty seconds. 

Emma Gniadek (Worcester, Mass.) came in to replace Reisman at halftime.  

In the second half, the Vikings were looking to turn the game around. As the period progressed, the Vikings found themselves in rhythm and had plenty of corner opportunities. Melanie Mason capitalized on a corner opportunity, scoring her second goal of the game as she beat Reisman. 

After the game coach Atkinson talked about her senior captain, Melanie Mason. " I talked to her the first day that I met her as I was the assistant and now she [has] grown so much as a player. There are moments on this field that she can make the most beautiful moves ever… she has been huge for us."   

Late in the period, Mosley saved some tough shots, keeping it a one-goal game as the Vikings were down by one with just 15 minutes remaining. 

Salem State was more aggressive as they were hungry to tie the game. They had several opportunities during the period, especially with corner opportunities, but they couldn't convert any of them into goals. 

Mosley saved seven of ten shots in goal while Gniadek did not record a save.  

The Vikings will be looking to bounce back on Wednesday night at Alumni Field when they take on Fitchburg State. Game time is at 7 p.m.