Mitchell Edges Salem State With Late Goal

SALEM, Mass. – Jade Shields (Hempstead, N.Y.) netted the game-winning goal with just over thirty seconds remaining in regulation to lift Mitchell to a hard fought 13-12 victory over Salem State, spoiling Chris Gugino's head coaching debut at Alumni Field on Saturday evening. Shields finished with four goals and a pair of assists as the Mariners improve to 3-4 on the season. Patrick Guinee (Gloucester, Mass.) led the Vikings with five goals and an assist as Salem State goes to 0-3 on the season.

The Vikings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead following goals from Guinee and Hunter Spencer (Beverly, Mass.). However, Mitchell answered with a 6-0 run beginning late in the first and extending to the 9:00 mark in the second. Joe Schley (Rocky Point, N.Y.) and Dominick Reposa (Rehoboth, Mass.) each netted a pair during the skein as Mitchell took a 6-2 lead. However, Salem State fought back and closed the period with a 4-0 run, highlighted by two goals by Kevin Albert (Canton, Mass.) to draw even at 6-6 with 5:08 left in the second.

The teams remained tied at the half with Mitchell owning a 29-23 advantage in shots.

Both teams tallied three goals apiece in the third, as the game remained even at 9-9 heading into the fourth period. Guinee scored back-to-back goals to open the final frame, but Shields scored the first of his three fourth period goals to pull the Mariners to within a score. Mitchell built on the momentum and retook the lead, 12-11 following another goal by Shields. With 2:22 remaining Hunter Spencer (Beverly, Mass.) pulled the Vikings even with his second score of the night, but it was not enough as Spencer ended the comeback bid with the game-winner, beating goalie Colby Spear (Chicopee, Mass.) from just outside the crease.

Marcel Quinlan (Uniondale, N.Y.) earned the victory in net, making 19 saves. Wilcox took the loss in his first start, making 17 saves.

Inside The Numbers

• Mitchell held a slight 15-13 advantage in faceoffs, highlighted by Jadyn Gonzalez (New Bedford, Mass.) who went 15-28.
• Salem State had nine assists on the night, including three each from Spencer and Kevin Albert (Canton, Mass.)
• Shley finished with four goals for Mitchell while Albert added three scores for the Vikings
• The Mariners held a 31-30 margin in groundballs, led by six from Gonzalez. Drew Worthley (Saugus, Mass.) topped the Vikings with five groundballs.