Beacons Overpower Vikings 32-6

Jose Rodriguez '24, Staff Writer | Media & Communications

SALEM, Mass. -- Brayden McLean (Stow, Mass.) and Zach Mann (South Hadly, Mass.) each recorded five goals apiece to lead UMASS Boston to a 32-6 Little East Conference (LEC) victory over Salem State on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Field. The Beacons improve to 6-2, 1-0 while the Vikings drop to 4-3, 0-1.

How Did Happen?

• At the 12:43 mark of the first, Luke Murphy (Watertown, Mass.), who was making a run in the Vikings zone, found himself in a favorable position near the post bar. He deftly maneuvered the ball towards the left side of the net and placed it past Ryan Cohen (Bedford, Mass.) to score the first goal of the game for the Beacons.
• It didn't take to long for the Vikings to even up the scoring when Coleman Ballweg (Portland, Maine) beat James Boldy (Hopedale, Mass.) at the 9:51 mark. 
• Salem State was applying a lot of pressure on the Beacons' zone. The strategy paid off when Timothy Eddings (Endicott, N.Y.) took a shot from 15 feet from the net, giving the Vikings their first lead of the game. However, their lead was short-lived as UMass Boston managed to tie the game at two.
• The Vikings clear attempt paid off when Cohen made long toss to Eddings, who then quickly passed it to Cameron Smith (Beverly, Smith). Smith scored, putting Salem State in the lead by a score of 3-2. The Vikings added one more goal on the scoreboard before the Beacons answered, tying the game at 4-4 at the end of one period. 
• UMass Boston's 14-goal second period was spearheaded by McLean and Mann with both of them recording five goals while McLean added three assists in the period.
• The Beacons demonstrated an impressive performance in the third period, scoring a total of nine goals. The period was particularly notable for the outstanding performance of Cameron Noyes (Littletown, Mass.) and Patrick Dwinnells (Ashland, Mass.), who each contributed three goals in the period.
• In the last period of regulation, Eddings, who had already scored once, managed to score for the second time, thanks to an excellent assist from Collins. However, UMass Boston scored five goals in the final period of play with Dale Wills (Summitt, N.J.) scoring the final two goals of the game. 

Behind The Numbers?

• MacLean and Mann were the star performers, as they both scored five goals each. McLean was credited with five assists, while Mann provided an assist.
• Smith and Eddings recorded two goals each.   
• James Boldy (Hopedale, Mass.) saved eight of 13 shots, giving the Beacons the victory while the Vikings' Cohen saved 19 of 51 shots.

What's Next?

• Salem State will travel on the road to face Elms College for a non-conference matchup. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.