Rams, Vikings Tie 1-1

Framingham, Mass. - Gabriel Meireles (Everett, Mass.) netted his third goal of the season, but a late score by Framingham State with five minutes remaining in regulation sent the game to overtime, which ended in a 1-1 tie. The Vikings remain atop the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) with a 2-0-1 record and are now 7-1-1 on the season. The Rams go to 6-3-2, and 1-0-2 (MASCAC).

The two teams played a scoreless first half, but each team had a chance to get on the board.  The Vikings best chance came with 25 minutes left in the opening stanza on a direct kick from Meireles from 25 yards out that was saved by FSU goalkeeper Corey Davidge (Blackstone, Mass.) The Rams had several chances to score including a header by senior Ken Stahovish (Springfield, Mass.) off a cross that was saved by the Vikings goalkeeper Christopher Jimenez (Nashua, NH). The Rams best opportunity to score came with two minutes remaining in the frame as they moved the ball up the field and sophomore Akeem Bucknor (Manchester, Jamaica) was alone in front of the net, but hit the post.

Salem State broke the scoreless deadlock in the 64th minute.  Meireles took a direct kick from 30 yards out and found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. The Rams had a couple of chances to tie the score but shots from junior Bryce Nardizzi (Framingham, Mass.) and junior Isaac DeSouza (Sao Paulo, Brazil) sailed wide of the mark.

The Rams finally tied the score in 85th minute.  Freshman Jared Nardizzi (Framingham, Mass.) sent a cross to Stahovish on the left side and Stahovish placed a shot inside the far post.

The Rams outshot the Vikings 20-17 in the game and held a 17-4 advantage in corner kicks. Davidge made nine saves in the game for the Rams, while Jimenez made seven for the Vikings.