UMass Boston Sails Past Salem State

BOSTON -- UMass Boston built a 5-2 halftime lead and limited Salem State to just five shots after halftime as the Beacons won their first Little East Conference match with a 13-3 victory over Salem State. UMass Boston in now 2-10 and 1-3 in the LEC. The Vikings go to 3-7 and 1-3 in conference.

Kevin Albert (Canton, Mass.), Zach Persson (Danvers, Mass.) and Jake Lamoureux (Weymouth, Mass.) all tallied goals for Salem State.

The Beacons attack, which has come on strong as of late erupted for five goals in the first quarter, before tacking on four in the third and fourth frames.  The Beacons led in all offensive categories as they totaled 57 shots (32 shots on goal). 

Defensively, UMB was just as solid causing a season-high 27 turnovers, while also holding the Vikings' attack to 19 total shots and just one goal in each of the first three quarters.

Jeremy Girard (Hinsdale, Mass.) and Donny Bickford (Braintree, Mass.) finished tied for the team lead in points with four each.  Bickford recorded the lone hat trick in the contest, to go along with one assist.  Girard registered a pair of goals and a pair of helpers. 

On top of making six saves to earn his second win of the season, netminder Cameron Dixson (Wayland, Mass.) had a team-leading five groundballs. 

Tommy Wilber, Jr. (Walpole, Mass.) had one of his most consistent games for the Beacons defense as he tallied four caused turnovers, to go along with three ground balls. 

UMass Boston got off to a great start, as they looked to end a long losing streak.  The Beacons netted the contest's first four goals with Girard, Jack Riley (Wrentham, Mass.), Michael Claflin (Newton, Mass.) and Bickford each scoring once.  Bickford would then net the final goal of the opening frame to give UMB a 5-1 lead heading into the second.

Salem State would own the only goal in the second stanza as the Beacons went into the halftime break with a 5-2 lead. 

In the third, UMB dominated possession as they scored four more times to take a commanding 9-2 lead.  Salem State's final goal came with 2:37 as Jake Lamoureux owned the last goal for the Vikings.

The fourth quarter saw Girard and Bickford each record a goal in the first four minutes.  Joe Mauceri (Scituate, Mass.) then made it a 12-3 ball game on a missile from 25 yards out with Derek Caruso (Port Washington, N.Y.) assisting on the play.  Ned Parker (Stafford, Va.) sealed the victory with just over five minutes remaining in the contest.

Stephen Balcher (Townsend, Mass.) took the loss stopping two shots against five goals allowed. Jack Ganter (Lynnfield, Mass.) made a career-high 16 saves with seven goals against in 38 minutes of action. Zach Isham (Chicopee, Mass) finished the game, recording one goal against and a save.