Mallett's Two Goals Lead Vikings to 3-0 Shutout Over Anna Maria

SALEM, Mass. – MacKenzie Mallett scored two second period goals and later added an assist and Dana Smullen made 32 saves as Salem State shutout Anna Maria for the second time this season, 3-0 at Rockett Arena on Wednesday evening. The win breaks a four-game skid for the Vikings, who improve to 3-8-1 on the season. The AMCATS lose their fifth straight to go to 2-10-2 on the year. Salem State earlier defeated Anna Maria 2-0 back on November 22. 

Both teams managed to kill off a 5-on-3 advantage by the opposition in the first as Anna Maria built a slight 12-11 advantage in shots in a scoreless  first.   

Salem State broke out the offense in the second behind Mallett, who scored her first goal at 6:56 of the second, as she deked an AMCATS' defender, and beat goalie Aurora Vanwormer for the first goal of the game. A little over a minute later, Vanwormer misplayed a shot by Mallett into the second score of the game for the forward, giving Salem State a 2-0 lead at 8:04 of the second.

Anna Maria turned up the offensive pressure in the third, outshooting the Vikings, 11-4, but Smullen  stood tall in net, denying the AMCATS' any opportunity for a comeback. Salem State iced the game when Jessica Robert deflected a wrister by Mallett at 17:56 of the period, making the final 3-0.   

Vanwormer made 28 saves in her first start for Anna Maria. The Vikings held a slim 25-24 advantage in face-offs, while the AMCATS ended the game holding a 32-31 lead in shots on goal.